Artisan Electrician X2 at Rio Tinto

The successful candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and compliance with electrical safety procedures and company standards.

ABOUT RIO TINTO

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company operating in 35 countries. The organisation produces essential materials, including iron ore, copper, aluminium, and critical minerals, that support industrial development, infrastructure, and the global energy transition.

Guided by its values of care, courage, and curiosity, Rio Tinto is committed to finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs while maintaining high standards of safety, environmental responsibility, innovation, and inclusion.

Joining Rio Tinto offers an opportunity to work within a globally recognised organisation that values employee development, technical expertise, operational reliability, and continuous improvement.

ABOUT RICHARDS BAY MINERALS

Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) is a world-leading heavy mineral sands extraction and refining operation and South Africa’s largest mineral sands producer. Its operations produce valuable minerals, including ilmenite, rutile, and zircon, which are used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications.

As part of the maintenance team, the successful candidates will contribute to the reliability and availability of essential electrical equipment and infrastructure that supports safe and efficient production.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The successful candidates will report to the Controller: Maintenance and will be responsible for carrying out electrical maintenance activities in accordance with approved procedures, safety requirements, and operational standards.

High-Voltage Electrical Maintenance

• Perform preventative, corrective, and routine electrical maintenance on high-voltage equipment and electrical infrastructure.
• Conduct fault-finding activities on electrical power supply units and associated equipment to identify faults and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Carry out electrical repairs, inspections, and equipment checks to improve reliability and reduce unplanned breakdowns.
• Perform isolation and de-isolation activities on furnace 33 kV switchgear in accordance with approved electrical safety procedures.
• Safely isolate and de-isolate 33 kV capacitor banks when required for maintenance and inspection.
• Apply approved earthing procedures to 33 kV busbars associated with power transformers.
• Perform earthing activities on capacitor banks, associated busbars, switches, and 275 kV transformers in accordance with authorised procedures.
• Carry out electrical isolation activities for furnace transformer 33 kV cubicle inspections.
• Perform electrical isolation activities when requested by Eskom, following the applicable authorisation and safety requirements.

Electrical Equipment and Power Systems

• Maintain uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units to support the reliability and availability of critical electrical systems.
• Inspect and maintain electrical infrastructure, including power distribution equipment and associated plant installations.
• Conduct routine maintenance and operational checks on emergency power systems.
• Perform routine test runs on emergency power equipment to verify operational readiness and identify potential defects.
• Top up or refill transformers and tap changers with the appropriate transformer oil in accordance with approved maintenance procedures and equipment specifications.
• Assist with identifying developing electrical faults and implementing corrective maintenance actions to prevent equipment failure.
• Monitor equipment condition and report abnormalities that could affect electrical safety, production, or plant availability.

Circuit Breaker Operations and Fault Response

• Carry out authorised re-closing operations on 275 kV circuit breakers following a trip, in accordance with approved operating procedures.
• Perform authorised re-closing of furnace supply breakers after trips, subject to the required safety checks and operational authorisation.
• Re-close 33 kV circuit breakers following trips when permitted by the applicable procedures and after the cause of the trip has been appropriately assessed.
• Assist with investigating electrical trips and equipment malfunctions to support safe restoration of electrical supplies.
• Communicate equipment defects, abnormal operating conditions, and recurring electrical faults to the relevant maintenance and operational personnel.
• Ensure that all switching activities are performed within the limits of the employee’s authorisation and competence.

Safety, Risk Management, and Compliance

• Conduct task-based risk assessments before commencing maintenance, inspection, isolation, or repair activities.
• Identify electrical hazards and implement appropriate control measures to reduce the risk of injury, equipment damage, and operational disruption.
• Comply with company safety policies, electrical isolation procedures, lockout and tagout requirements, and applicable high-voltage safety standards.
• Verify that equipment is appropriately isolated and earthed before commencing work, where required by the approved procedure.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment throughout all maintenance activities.
• Report unsafe conditions, incidents, near misses, and equipment defects through the appropriate reporting channels.
• Participate in safety meetings, toolbox talks, maintenance planning sessions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure that maintenance activities are completed in accordance with approved work instructions, quality standards, and operational requirements.

Additional responsibilities may apply in accordance with the official job description provided by the relevant HR Advisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the position:

• Educational Qualification: Matric with Mathematics and Science, or an N3 qualification.
• Trade Qualification: A recognised Electrical Trade Test qualification.
• Driving Licence: A valid South African driver’s licence.
• Work Experience: Three to five years of relevant experience working with general plant equipment and high-voltage electrical systems.
• Technical Knowledge: Sound knowledge of heavy-current electrical engineering principles, high-voltage equipment, electrical power distribution, and industrial electrical maintenance.
• Practical Competence: Demonstrated ability to perform electrical fault-finding, preventative maintenance, equipment inspections, and corrective repairs.
• Safety Awareness: A strong understanding of electrical safety, risk assessments, isolation procedures, earthing requirements, and safe working practices.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify electrical faults, investigate equipment failures, and contribute to effective maintenance solutions.
• Teamwork and Communication: Ability to work effectively with maintenance personnel, supervisors, operations teams, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work Ethic: Demonstrated reliability, accountability, attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining high operational standards.

Applicants must attach clear copies of all required qualifications and supporting documents when submitting their applications. Failure to provide the required documentation may result in the application being unsuccessful.

Please note that statements of results will not be accepted as substitutes for the required qualifications.

Only online applications will be considered. Applicants who do not meet all the minimum requirements may not be considered for the position.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Rio Tinto offers a range of employment benefits designed to support employee wellbeing, professional development, and long-term career growth. Benefits may include:

• Permanent employment within an established international mining and materials organisation.
• A competitive base salary that reflects the successful candidate’s qualifications, technical skills, and relevant experience.
• Annual cash incentive awards under the Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP), subject to eligibility and applicable company policies.
• Career development opportunities and access to education assistance to support further learning and professional advancement.
• Access to family-friendly health and medical programmes.
• Pension and savings plans in accordance with applicable employment arrangements.
• Employee wellbeing benefits and support programmes.
• Participation in the Rio Tinto employee share programme, subject to eligibility.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support for employees and their families.
• A comprehensive leave policy covering annual leave, paid parental leave, and other important life events, subject to applicable policies.
• Opportunities to work in a safety-focused environment that promotes respect, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Potential opportunities to develop technical expertise and build a long-term career within the organisation.

Specific benefits and eligibility conditions will be confirmed by the employer during the recruitment process.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The successful candidates will work in an industrial mineral sands processing and refining environment where electrical equipment reliability, high-voltage safety, and preventative maintenance are essential to daily operations.

The role requires a disciplined and proactive approach to electrical maintenance, with the ability to work safely around complex electrical infrastructure and respond appropriately to equipment faults and operational requirements.

Candidates should be prepared to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and follow all applicable site procedures, safety requirements, and maintenance schedules.

COMPANY VALUES AND CULTURE

Rio Tinto is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees are respected, supported, and encouraged to contribute their knowledge and ideas.

The company promotes a culture built around care, courage, and curiosity. These values encourage employees to look after one another, speak up about safety concerns, challenge existing practices when necessary, and seek better ways of working.

Safety remains a central priority, and all employees are expected to contribute to a workplace where risks are identified, hazards are controlled, and everyone takes responsibility for working safely.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official Rio Tinto careers website.

Applicants should ensure that their CV is up to date and that all required supporting documents are attached before submitting the online application. These documents should include copies of the relevant educational qualifications, Electrical Trade Test certificate, and other requested supporting documentation.

Before applying, carefully review the minimum requirements to confirm that your qualifications and work experience meet the expectations of the position.

Important application reminders:

• Submit your application online through the official recruitment portal.
• Attach all required qualification certificates and supporting documents.
• Ensure that your contact details and employment history are accurate.
• Do not submit statements of results in place of the required qualifications.
• Apply only if you satisfy the stated minimum requirements.

FINAL REMINDER

This is an opportunity for two qualified Electrical Artisans with high-voltage experience to contribute to the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Richards Bay Minerals.

Candidates with the required electrical trade qualification, practical industrial maintenance experience, strong fault-finding skills, and a commitment to high-voltage safety are encouraged to apply.

Apply for 2x Artisan: Electrician