Job Description
Join a leader in mining & metals offering outstanding personal development & global career opportunities.
Competitive salary and benefits.
Work in an underground project located near Superior, Arizona.
About the Role
We are seeking an Underground Planner to support the development and execution of short- and medium-term underground mine projects. This role is critical to ensuring work is planned safely, efficiently, and in alignment with operational priorities, resources, and site standards.
Reporting to the Underground Operations Superintendent, the Underground Planner works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services, Projects, and Contractors to translate mine designs and schedules into executable plans.
Role Responsibilities
Develop and maintain weekly, 21‑day, and monthly project and maintenance work plans
Integrate development, production, maintenance, and infrastructure activities into cohesive plans
Coordinate closely with Underground Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Contractor teams
Prepare detailed work packages, schedules, and planning documentation
Participate in planning, coordination, and look‑ahead meetings
Track progress against plan and update schedules based on actuals
Identify planning conflicts, risks, and constraints; recommend mitigation actions
Ensure plans align with safety, ground control, ventilation, and permitting requirements
Support continuous improvement of planning processes, tools, and standards
Produce clear reports, schedules, and planning summaries for stakeholders
About you
High school diploma or equivalent
Valid driver’s license
Experience in underground mining planning or scheduling
Working knowledge of underground development and production workflows
Proficiency with planning and scheduling tools (e.g. Primavera P6, Deswik, MS Project, or similar)
Strong coordination, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
Solid understanding of underground safety and operational constraints
Ability to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced underground project environment
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
You will be joining Resolution Copper at a pivotal moment in the project’s history. With the Resolution Copper Land Exchange now complete, the project is advancing its next phase of technical work, community engagement, and state permitting activities.
Resolution Copper has the potential to supply nearly 25% of total U.S. copper demand and generate several thousand direct and indirect jobs in the Pioneer Mining District of Arizona, delivering an economic value of several billion dollars over the life of the mine. The project will rely on block caving, a proven underground mining method that uses gravity to extract ore from a deposit located more than 2,000 meters below the surface. This technique is the most viable way to safely and efficiently recover the resource.
As development continues, Resolution Copper will expand its underground operations, conduct extensive drilling and orebody characterization, and maintain both the permitting process and ongoing public engagement with Native American tribes, local communities, and stakeholders.
The Resolution Copper project is vital to securing America’s energy future, infrastructure needs, and national defense by providing a domestic supply of copper and other critical minerals. Once operational, it has the potential to become one of the largest copper mines in the United States, contribute approximately $1 billion annually to Arizona’s economy, and create thousands of local jobs in a region with more than a century‑long mining heritage.
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.