Geologist

Rio Tinto; Superior (AZ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety culture

Health & life insurance

401k with match

Employee share plan

Generous leave

Childcare leave top-up

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Rio Tinto is seeking Geologists to support the underground resource evaluation and borehole data collection near Superior, Arizona. You will work across surface and underground environments, collecting, validating, and interpreting high quality data in collaboration with drilling, core handling, and modeling teams.

You will be part of a collaborative technical environment focused on data quality and safety, with opportunities to grow your technical capability on a major underground project

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology or related field required or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• MSHA metal non-metal certification preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting.

Responsibilities

• Collect high quality geologic, geotechnical, and drilling data.
• Interpret drill core, core scanning outputs, and downhole data for geological understanding.
• Support underground mapping, LIDAR scanning, and sampling during drift development.
• Synthesize interpretations and update geologic and resource models.
• Prepare daily/periodic reports on drilling progress and data collection.

Skills

Geology data collection

Underground work readiness

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology or related field

MSHA metal non-metal certification (preferred)

Tools

Deswik

Leapfrog

Vulcan

acQuire

Job description

• The opportunity to build deep underground geology experience on one of the most significant copper deposits in North America
• Hands‑on exposure across the full resource evaluation workflow, from drilling and logging through modeling and interpretation
• Long‑term career opportunity on a major underground project near Superior, Arizona, backed by a global mining leader
• To support talent from across the country, relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates selected for this role.

About the Role

As a Geologist, you are part of the team building the foundation of orebody knowledge that underpins all future mining decisions. You will work across surface and underground environments, collecting, validating, and interpreting high quality data in collaboration with drilling, core handling, and modeling teams. This is a rare opportunity to develop well rounded technical capability within a large, complex underground deposit. We are currently hiring for Geologists to support this growing work.

In this role, you start the day with clear priorities across drilling, core logging, or underground data collection. Core flows smoothly through logging and QAQC, drilling activities are well coordinated, and underground mapping or scanning is completed safely and efficiently. Data is captured accurately, communicated clearly, and integrated into models that the broader technical team can rely on. You finish the shift knowing your work directly advanced understanding of the deposit.

You will be guided and supported by the Resource Evaluation leadership team and work closely with core handling, drilling operations, geotechnical, modeling, and contractor teams. You will be part of a collaborative technical environment where data quality, safety, and learning are shared responsibilities as you carry out the work below.

• Always work safely and actively promote a strong safety culture during field, drilling, and underground activities
• Collect high quality geologic, geotechnical, and drilling related data in a timely and disciplined manner
• Manage daily core inflows including logging, photography, scanning preparation, geotechnical logging, and data QAQC
• Support and supervise drilling operations, reinforcing safe work practices and site standards
• Interpret drill core, core scanning outputs, and downhole geophysical data to support geologic understanding
• Conduct underground mapping, LIDAR scanning, and sampling during drift development and drilling activities
• Synthesize and communicate geologic interpretations to support updates to geologic and resource models
• Prepare daily and periodic reports on drilling progress, underground development, and data collection results
• Update and maintain geologic and drilling databases, reports, and diagrams
• Support focused technical projects that enhance understanding of structure, alteration, and mineralization

About You

• You are committed to safety, data quality, and professional field practices
• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Earth Science, Geologic Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical and scientific reporting
• Willingness and ability to work underground, including rotating or night shifts as required
• Ability to work effectively with technical, operational, and contractor teams from diverse backgrounds
• Comfortable working in a digital environment using tools such as Excel, Word, and geoscientific databases like acQuire
• Ability to meet productivity targets and deadlines in a dynamic project environment
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet site access requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in exploration or mining geology, with MSHA metal non-metal certification preferred
• Experience with resource drilling programs, contractor supervision, and directing field activities in line with safety requirements
• Background in geotechnical or geomechanical applications for underground mining
• Knowledge of porphyry copper systems, including alteration, mineralization, and geochemical signatures
• Experience with scripting or data tools such as SQL, Python, or similar for geoscientific data management
• Understanding of geoscientific database structure and functionality
• Proficiency with 3D geologic modeling software such as Deswik, Leapfrog, or Vulcan

What we offer

We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking, your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress, we provide:

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• Advantageous salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A favorable child‑caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Ongoing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family; to help in addressing educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
• Our team and industry experts are here to support and work with you to explore your learning potential and career goals

Where you will be working

Resolution Copper has the potential to supply nearly 25% of the US copper demand and create several thousand direct and indirect jobs in the Pioneer Mining District of Arizona, with an economic value of several billion dollars over the estimated mine life.

The project will rely on a technique called block caving to extract the deposit that lies more than 2,000 meters deep. This technique uses gravity to help remove the ore and is the most viable way to recover the resource.

Resolution Copper will continue underground development, conduct extensive drilling and orebody testing, plus maintain the permitting and public engagement process.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win‑win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.