Geologist, Logging and Core

Rio Tinto; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety-focused environment

Annual cash incentive (STIP)

Health programs (medical, dental, etc)

Retirement plan with company match

Employee share program

Job summary

Rio Tinto Kennecott in Salt Lake City, Utah, seeks a Geologist - Logging to collect and interpret high-quality geological data for current operations, expansion planning, and resource understanding. You’ll work with mapping, geotechnical, metallurgical teams to turn drill core, chips, surveys, and geophysics into practical interpretations for open-pit and underground development.

The role emphasizes hands-on geology, data stewardship, and teamwork, offering growth within a major mining operation

Qualifications

• Safety of yourself and your team is a must.
• Demonstrated capability in geological core logging and rock type/structure interpretation.
• Experience collecting and interpreting geological data in mining or safety-critical settings.
• Bachelor’s degree in Geology or related field.
• Knowledge of data quality assurance and chain of custody practices.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Log and sample diamond drill core and chips to capture rock type and geotechnical data.
• Interpret geological data to support resource understanding and mine planning.
• Review down-hole surveys and borehole geophysical data for subsurface understanding.
• Maintain data quality with QA/QC and proper documentation.
• Integrate data streams to provide practical interpretations for modelling.
• Coordinate with drill contractors and stakeholders on geological recommendations.
• Use geological software to compile, validate, and communicate information.
• Contribute to process improvements while upholding safety standards.

Skills

Geological core logging

Rock type identification

Geotechnical data interpretation

QA/QC practices

Drill core sampling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geology

Tools

acQuire

MineSight

Leapfrog

Vulcan

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• Contribute geological and geotechnical information that supports current operations, future mine expansion and resource understanding at Rio Tinto Kennecott.
• Grow your technical expertise in core logging, geologic interpretation, down-hole surveying and borehole geophysics while partnering with experienced technical teams.
• Build your career in the Salt Lake City area, with core logging based near Copperton, Utah

• Contribute geological and geotechnical information that supports current operations, future mine expansion and resource understanding at Rio Tinto Kennecott.
• Grow your technical expertise in core logging, geologic interpretation, down-hole surveying and borehole geophysics while partnering with experienced technical teams.
• Build your career in the Salt Lake City area, with core logging based near Copperton, Utah

We’re Finding Better Ways to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values - care, courage and curiosity - guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About The Role

We are looking for a Geologist - Logging to collect, interpret and deliver high-quality geological and geotechnical data that strengthens resource knowledge and supports safe, informed decisions across Rio Tinto Kennecott. Working closely with mapping and modelling geologists, geotechnical engineers, metallurgists and drill contractors, you’ll turn drill core, chip, survey and geophysical information into practical geological interpretations for current open-pit investigations and future open-pit and underground development.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys hands‑on geology, careful data stewardship and collaborative problem solving, and wants to deepen their technical capability in a major mining operation.

What You’ll Be Doing

Reporting to the Superintendent, Logging & Core Shed and working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary geology environment within the Mine planning team, you will

• Log and sample diamond drill core and chips, capturing rock type, structure, alteration, mineralogy and geotechnical information to required standards.
• Interpret geological and geotechnical data to support resource understanding, mine planning, expansion studies and geological models.
• Review and interpret down‑hole surveys and borehole geophysical data, including acoustic televiewer logging, to improve subsurface understanding.
• Maintain geological and geotechnical data quality through effective quality assurance and quality control, chain‑of‑custody practices and complete documentation.
• Integrate multiple data streams into clear, practical interpretations and provide timely information to modelling geologists and geotechnical engineers.
• Coordinate with drill contractors and technical stakeholders, providing geological recommendations that support safe and effective daily drilling operations.
• Use geological software and data systems to compile, validate, analyse and communicate technical information.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in logging, data collection and team processes while maintaining high safety standards in field and office work.

About You

We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every “helpful for success” item to apply, if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.

Required for Success

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• Skills and Capabilities Demonstrated capability in geological core logging and the identification and description of rock types, structure, alteration and mineralogy, with the ability to interpret geological data.
• Experience Demonstrated experience collecting and interpreting geological data in a mining or similarly safety‑critical field environment, including core logging and sampling.
• Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Geology or a related field.
• Quality Experience applying geological data quality assurance and quality control practices, including chain of custody and supporting documentation.
• Physical Requirements Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods as part of core logging and field activities.

Helpful for Success

• Experience in porphyry copper geology, open‑pit mining, geological mapping, down‑hole surveying or borehole geophysics, including acoustic televiewer data.
• Experience with geological data and modelling tools such as acQuire, MineSight, Leapfrog or Vulcan, together with Microsoft Excel.
• Experience synthesising multiple geological or geotechnical data streams and communicating interpretations to multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience improving technical workflows or data‑collection processes through collaborative problem solving and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, your way of 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 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’ll be working

Rio Tinto Kennecott is a fully integrated mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, US. Kennecott is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto. For more than 110 years, Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich orebody of the Bingham Canyon Mine. Kennecott is a strong economic driver and strives to be a valuable community partner through strategic partnerships, charitable giving and sustainable development practices.

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.