Silhouettes of several people wearing high-visibility work clothing walk together outdoors at dawn or dusk, carrying bags and equipment against a sky filled with orange and purple clouds, with a streetlight visible in the background.

This is mining

What careers in mining look like today.

Mining today looks different than many expect. Across our operations, these are the roles shaping how we operate and the people behind them. 

A job in mining looks like this

From people starting out to leading teams producing the materials the world needs, these roles show the range of careers in mining today and the different ways people build experience across our operations.
A person wearing a high-visibility work uniform, hard hat, and safety glasses stands on a reddish dirt road in a lush, green hilly landscape, with rolling hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Kadiatou

Geotechnical officer – Simfer, Guinea

“I monitor ground conditions across our operations at the SimFer mine to help identify potential risks early and support safe mining operations. My role involves using radar systems, drones and data analysis to track ground movement and support decision-making on site.”  

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What might surprise you:
“People don’t realise how much technology is involved in mining today. I use advanced monitoring systems and fly drones to capture real-time data that helps us prevent potential geotechnical incidents before they happen.” 

How I got here:
“When I joined Simfer, I had only a basic level of English. In less than 2 years, I’ve built my confidence working across technical teams and using drone technology to support safer operations. 

Today, I’m the first woman at Simandou to obtain a permit for drone operations”

Cecilia

Vice president,
Growth and Sustainability and Acting CEO – Nuton

“I oversee the strategic direction and governance for Nuton, a joint venture that uses bacteria to unlock new sources of copper, with a smaller carbon footprint.”

A person with long dark hair smiles at the camera while standing outdoors in front of a green, leafy hedge, wearing a patterned button-up shirt.
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What might surprise you:
"This role is incredibly cross-functional. There’s a huge amount of collaboration across highly specialised teams like process engineering, chemistry, fluid dynamics, data modelling and analytics. And it all comes together in one vision that has to be simple, intuitive, well-communicated and drives the team forward in creating an even bigger impact."

How I got here:
“I studied economics and politics at university. Coming from a resource-rich and biodiverse country like Peru spiked my interest in mining and sustainability. Over the last 15 years I’ve worked in the copper industry, I’ve been in roles in business analysis, commercial and strategy.  

My role at Nuton gives me the chance to lead bright, committed people focused on revolutionising the way copper is produced.”
A mining employee wearing high visibility vest and blue helmet carrying a walkie-talkie.

Narangerel

Open pit supervisor – Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia

“As an open pit supervisor at Oyu Tolgoi, I supervise one of the mine’s key production areas and help lead the safe movement of copper ore and waste. Every well-planned shift, every safe road, and every clear instruction helps keep the mine running smoothly.”

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What might surprise you:
“I get to work around 320-tonne haul trucks – they move through the pit like buildings on wheels!” 

How I got here:
“I started at Oyu Tolgoi straight out of high school as a kitchen assistant. Today, I supervise a diverse team of operators dedicated to safe and productive mine operations.” 

Inés

Sustainability lead – Salta, Argentina

“I help ensure our lithium operations meet recognised sustainability standards. I work across teams to prepare for independent audits, support on-site reviews and follow through on improvements, while keeping customers informed of our progress.” 

Inés, our Sustainability lead at Salta, Argentina
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What might surprise you:
“My role involves close engagement with leading automakers and original equipment manufacturers, enabling me to demonstrate our leadership in sustainability.” 

How I got here:
“I hold a degree in chemistry and spent 13 years working as a laboratory manager at our lithium sites, Fénix and Güemes, in Argentina. Over the past 6 years in sustainability, I’ve experienced a journey full of challenges and learning opportunities and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it!  

Today, I’ve developed knowledge across a wide range of topics, including human rights, environmental and labor law, mine closure planning and many others.” 

Shaping how we operate

Mining is changing — not just in the types of roles available, but in how the work is done. 

Across our operations, technology plays a bigger role in how decisions are made. Data, automation and remote systems help teams monitor performance, manage risk and respond in real time. 

At the same time, the sheer scale of the work remains. Decisions made on site or in control rooms can influence large, and often complex systems. Like how we move iron ore through the Pilbara safely to how energy and resources are used responsibly at our aluminium operations in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean in Quebec, Canada. 

As a result, many roles now bring different skills together, combining hands-on experience with technical knowledge and problem-solving, to shape how we operate. 

Lucy

General Manager, Technical and Sustainability – Montreal, Canada

“I lead technical assurance and enterprise risk to ensure safe, sustainable production while optimising business performance and long-term value. In other words, I help make sure our operations run safely, responsibly and efficiently.”

Person wearing a white hard hat, safety glasses, high‑visibility yellow shirt, gloves, and a red life jacket standing on a metal walkway beside greenish water at an industrial dredging or mining site. Yellow railings line the platform, and heavy machinery sits across the water, with steep sandy cliffs rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
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What might surprise you:
“People often think this kind of role is purely technical or analytical. In reality, it plays a big part in shaping business decisions and outcomes by influencing strategy, managing risk and enabling better decision-making. 

This matters because it helps improve safety and performance.”

How I got here:
“I started out as a geologist and since joining Rio, I’ve gone from doing technical work to influencing broader business decisions and how we manage risk across my portfolio.”
Portrait shot of Angela, Senior Manager of Change at Rio posing for camera

Angela

Senior Manager, Change – Brisbane, Australia

“Introducing new systems and processes only works if people understand and are brought along the journey. So I help prepare our people to adopt new systems, processes and ways of working across the business. My role connects technology, operations and people to support how we work day to day.”

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What might surprise you:
“Although it sounds like my role sits away from the operations – it doesn’t. Understanding how work happens at our operations is crucial to helping front line teams navigate change in a way that works for them.” 

How I got here:
“I’ve worked across different commodities, sites and roles over more than 20 years in the resources industry, from operations and projects to corporate roles. That experience has given me a strong understanding of how the business works end to end. 

Today, I use that experience to help support how our people adapt to new systems and ways of working.” 

Barbara

Manager, Cyber Security Strategic Delivery –
Perth, Australia

“I lead the delivery of cyber security initiatives across the business, helping protect Rio Tinto from cyber threats while building awareness so our people can better recognise and respond to risks.”

Barbara, Manager of Cyber Security Strategic Delivery at Rio posing for camera.
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What might surprise you:
“The human side of cyber security. A big part of my role is helping teams understand complex cyber risks and make practical decisions to protect the business. People are often surprised by how much of cyber security is about people and decision-making, not just technology.”

How I got here:
“I started my career in management consulting before moving into cyber security more than 11 years ago. I joined Rio Tinto over 7 years ago in a specialist role focused on cyber awareness and within 6 months, I was promoted into the cyber leadership team to also manage our cyber strategic initiatives program. My role has continued to evolve from there into strategy, delivery and leadership across the business.”

Building a career in mining

Careers in mining aren’t one-dimensional. Roles evolve over time, with opportunities to build new skills and take on different challenges. 

People often start in one area like operations, engineering or technical roles, and develop experience across sites, commodities or functions. For many, that means working on problems that have real impact like improving safety and reliability or finding more efficient and responsible ways to operate.

Taylee, a production supervisor at Rio Tinto’s Amrun site, sitting on a bench in a locker room wearing high-visibility orange workwear with reflective strips.

Taylee

Production supervisor – Amrun, Australia

“Moving bauxite safely and consistently is at the heart of our operations. I lead a team of operators making sure we do it safely and reliably to keep production running. I also work across site to find ways to improve how we operate, from reducing waste to supporting better decision-making.”

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What might surprise you:
“In a single shift I might move from operational strategy discussions to real-time decision-making in the field, supporting team members, helping recover bogged equipment and leading safety interactions... this role is more than supervising work on site.”

How I got here:
“Since joining Rio, I’ve worked across production, business improvement and Indigenous employment and development. I started in operations and have taken on different roles that have helped me build experience across both the operational and people side of the business. 

More than half of my team at Amrun identifies as Indigenous, and leading a diverse team like this has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role.”

Brandice

Senior Study manager, Closure – Salt Lake City, US

“I lead a global team working on closure studies, helping plan how our sites are safely and responsibly managed at the end of their life. My role brings together technical, environmental, legal and operational perspectives to support long-term outcomes.”

Portrait shot of Brandice, our Senior Study Manager of Closure at Rio Tinto Salk Lake City, US.
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What might surprise you:
“Mining is about extraction but a big part of the work is also planning what comes next. How land is rehabilitated and how sites are transitioned responsibly over time is an important part of the work we do.” 

How I got here:
“I started with Rio as a summer intern in 2005 and joined full time as a mining engineer. Since then, I’ve worked across operations in different roles and locations. 

Over time, I’ve taken on new challenges, including moving into closure work, where I now lead a global team. My path hasn’t been linear, but each role has helped me build a broader understanding of the business and where I wanted to go next.” 
Portrait shot of Shannon, General Manager of Gove operations at Rio Tinto.

Shannon

General Manager – Gove, Australia

“I’m responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of site operations and closure activities at our bauxite mine, Gove. In practice, this means I'm really focused on bringing different work areas together as one team to deliver strong, safe production results for the business as we progress our plan for closure and supporting the community transition beyond mining.”

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What might surprise you:
“People are often surprised to hear I started my career in corporate communications before moving into operations. Mining careers don’t always follow a traditional path.” 

How I got here:
“I started in corporate communications supporting our copper business, before moving into operational roles at Kennecott in the US and Yarwun in Australia. Those experiences eventually led me to my current role as General Manager at Gove.”
Explore careers at Rio and see how you can build experience, develop new skills and grow your career in mining.