LAP Traineeship – Mine Operator

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 Local Aboriginal Persons (LAP) Mine operator Trainees to operate haul trucks, rear tippers, water carts and other machinery to conduct surface extraction of ore.

Duties include:

• Operating long-haul trucks to move bauxite to the dump bridge prior to processing in the beneficiation plant.
• Operating mobile plant machinery – Rear tippers, watercarts and belly dumpers.
• Use radio and information technology to communicate on-the-job.
• Complete pre-task risk assessments e.g., take 5’s, pre-start.
• Daily vehicle inspections.

Successful applicants must:

• Have a current Drivers licence.
• Have LAP Status approval.
• Provide complete application kit (Resume, Driver’s Licence, LAP Status form and application form).
• Be priority driven, self-motivated and work independently to meet deadlines.
• Able to undertake rostered 12hr Day/night shifts.
• Be physically fit, pass D&A and Medical testing.
• Be enthusiastic, passionate and work well within a team.
• Be committed to the safety of yourself and the team.
• Be able to tolerate physically demanding work including shift work, working in adverse weather etc.

Where you will be working

Our Weipa Operations includes two bauxite mines, processing facilities, ship loaders, an export wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network and ferry terminals. Located on the Western Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, each year the operation produces more than 35 million tonnes of bauxite.

Our operations are supported by a 1,900-strong workforce—including 26 per cent who are women and 25 per cent Indigenous employees. Activities include mine operations, maintenance, asset management, ports, cultural heritage management, and processing facility management.

Applications close 9th November 2026.

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.

Respect and Inclusion

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQ+ 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.