- Influence the long-term future of Rio Tinto Kennecott underground mining through strategic life-of-mine planning and value optimization.
- Lead high-impact studies, trade-off evaluations and investment recommendations while working closely with technical and business leaders.
- Opportunity to shape a major underground growth opportunity within an integrated mining and processing operation based in Salt Lake City, Utah
About the RoleWe are looking for a Senior Advisor Strategic Planning - Underground to join Rio Tinto Kennecott. The purpose of this role is to develop safe, executable underground mining strategies that maximize value and enable the profitable extraction of Kennecott's underground assets. Reporting to the Manager, Integrated Planning, you will shape long-term development choices, integrate technical and commercial inputs, and provide decision-ready analysis and recommendations that advance underground opportunities with confidence.
What you'll be doing- Lead the development and optimization of underground mining strategies and life-of-mine plans that maximize value while maintaining safe and executable outcomes.
- Evaluate mining methods, production rates, development sequences, cut-off strategies and infrastructure options to balance value, risk and optionality.
- Integrate geology, geotechnical, hydrogeological, ventilation, backfill, processing, environmental and operational inputs into strategic mine plans.
- Lead trade-off studies, economic evaluations and business-case recommendations that support investment and senior leadership decisions.
- Guide study-level mine designs, schedules and technical work packages from concept through feasibility and execution readiness.
- Identify and manage key technical and business risks, opportunities and dependencies and maintain traceability to value outcomes.
- Improve strategic planning processes, standards, scenario management and quality assurance across planning horizons.
- Build strong cross-functional partnerships and provide clear reports, presentations and technical mentoring.
About YouTo be successful in this role, you will demonstrate a commitment to safety and bring the following experience and capabilities:
Essential requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a relevant technical discipline.
- Seven or more years of progressive mining experience, including substantial underground planning, studies or technical services experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in long-range planning, life-of-mine planning, underground mine design, production scheduling and economic evaluation.
- Experience supporting conceptual, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and translating technical analysis into business recommendations.
- Strong understanding of underground mining methods, development sequencing, ventilation, backfill, material handling and operational constraints.
- Advanced capability using Deswik CAD, Deswik Sched or equivalent mine planning and scheduling tools.
- Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and technical leadership skills, with the ability to influence and develop others.
- Leadership grounded in Care, Courage and Curiosity with a proven commitment to safety and wellbeing.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience advancing underground mine-development opportunities from early-stage studies through execution or operational ramp-up.
- Experience within an integrated mining and processing operation where underground development interfaces with an existing open-pit mine and downstream facilities.
- Professional registration, reserve reporting experience, or exposure to digital planning, optimization, automation or advanced analytics.
What we offerWe 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 WorkingOur Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.
