Senior Advisor - Technology Development

Senior Advisor Technology Development

• Be part of the team pioneering the commercialisation of Rio Tinto’s novel NutonTMheap leaching technology. You challenge. We reward.
• Key role in a diverse and global organization
• Role based in Melbourne, Australia

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for a Senior Advisor Technology Developmentto support the programmes aimed at testing different ores and developing the NutonTMtechnologies to improve unit processes and the design of modules that are NutonTMprocess specific. This will encompass test programmes at Bundoora and other partner laboratories.

NutonTMis an innovative new venture that aims to help grow Rio Tinto’s copper business. At the core of NutonTMis a portfolio of proprietary copper leach related technologies and capability – a product of almost 30 years of research and development. The NutonTMtechnology offers the potential to economically unlock known low-grade copper sulfide resources, copper bearing waste and tailings, and achieve higher copper recoveries on primary copper sulfide material, allowing for a significantly increased copper production outcome. One of the key differentiators of NutonTMis the potential to deliver leading environmental performance, including more efficient water usage, lower carbon emissions, and the ability to reclaim mine sites by reprocessing mine waste.

We are an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most exciting data and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining.

We have technical development programmes that are industry-leading and recognise the unique nature of your role. These provide opportunities to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.

Reporting to the Principal Advisor Technology Development and working in a challenging and exciting environment within the NutonTMTechnology Development team, you will:

• Plan, conduct, lead and analyse NutonTMtest work programmes, both at the Bundoora Technical Development Centre (BTDC) and at external commercial laboratories; testing ore samples sourced from partner ore bodies, for their amenability to the NutonTMprimary copper sulfide leach technology and to support the further development of the NutonTM
• Provide technical support to the NutonTMOpportunity Evaluation team as and when required.
• Support the development of appropriate processing design criteria for the relevant scales of operation in cooperation with the NutonTMTechnology Transfer team and the Opportunity Assessment team.
• Provide and / or review of technical design and engineering specifications as may be required by the broader NutonTM

What you’ll bring

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• A tertiary qualification in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Strong data analysis skills.
• Strong problem solving ability incorporating troubleshooting of technical and complex issues.
• A minimum of 6 years of processing related work experience in the mining or engineering industry. This experience should include the design and management of hydrometallurgical testwork programmes and/or pilot plant trials.
• Good understanding of sampling theory and experimental statistical analysis/design.
• Experience in copper heap leaching is beneficial.
• Process flowsheet modelling (SYScad or METsim) in process engineering is beneficial.
• Ability to work in multi-functional and multi-disciplinary teams and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with employees at all levels of the organization and external vendors and stakeholders.

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible domestic relocation assistance

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 and meet opportunities.

Where you’ll be working

The role will be based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia, at the Bundoora Technical Development Centre, with some domestic and international travel requirement.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

Applications close on XXXX 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).