3
workforce retention. Compensation alone is insufficient
to retain talent. Instead, factors like workplace flexibility,
meaningful work, and positive colleague interactions have
taken precedence.
DEFINING A VISION AND ROAD MAP
FOR THE KENNECOTT TECHNICAL
TEAM
To grasp the essence of Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper’s
people strategy, it’s crucial to acknowledge the asset’s
uninterrupted 120-year operational history. Much like a
resilient garden enduring changing climates and various
caretakers, Rio Tinto Kennecott’s organizational culture
has undergone significant evolution in response to shift-
ing societal and economic dynamics. With a workforce
of approximately 2,100 full-time employees based in Salt
Lake City, Rio Tinto Kennecott aspires to cultivate an envi-
ronment that serves as both an operational and technical
talent incubator, fostering the growth and prosperity of
its team members. The goal is to develop nurtured talent
that not only contributes to the expansion of the Rio Tinto
Copper business but also operates it. This overarching
vision involves enhancing capabilities in critical disciplines,
including geotechnical engineering for open pit slope sta-
bility and pyrometallurgy for smelting. Furthermore, the
vision encompasses fostering a workplace that is more
diverse, inclusive, and respectful, allowing individuals to
bring their best selves, and ensuring that team members are
recognized and valued for their contributions.
The Kennecott Technical group plays a vital role in sup-
porting the delivery of the Kennecott Utah Copper busi-
ness plan. Figure 1 depicts how the Kennecott Technical
group fits in with other key Rio Tinto stakeholder groups
to support the organization. Specifically for the Bingham
Canyon Open Pit Mine, the Kennecott Technical group
is highlighted as yellow and works closely with the Mine
Operations group (in red). The vision for organization cul-
ture is provided by the Culture and Everyday Respect group
(in blue). Second line technical assurance is provided by
the Central Copper Technical group (in green) and third
line technical assurance is provided by the Surface Mining
Center of Excellence (in purple). The stakeholder landscape
resembles a large and complex matrix.
Comprising approximately 150 professionals ranging
from Geologists and Engineers at the mine to Scientists
and Metallurgists at the laboratories and processing facili-
ties, the Kennecott Technical group influences every part of
the business value chain. The Bingham Canyon Open Pit
Mine and Copperton Concentrator source from a deep and
geologically complex ore body to send processed copper
Figure 1. Stakeholder Map
workforce retention. Compensation alone is insufficient
to retain talent. Instead, factors like workplace flexibility,
meaningful work, and positive colleague interactions have
taken precedence.
DEFINING A VISION AND ROAD MAP
FOR THE KENNECOTT TECHNICAL
TEAM
To grasp the essence of Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper’s
people strategy, it’s crucial to acknowledge the asset’s
uninterrupted 120-year operational history. Much like a
resilient garden enduring changing climates and various
caretakers, Rio Tinto Kennecott’s organizational culture
has undergone significant evolution in response to shift-
ing societal and economic dynamics. With a workforce
of approximately 2,100 full-time employees based in Salt
Lake City, Rio Tinto Kennecott aspires to cultivate an envi-
ronment that serves as both an operational and technical
talent incubator, fostering the growth and prosperity of
its team members. The goal is to develop nurtured talent
that not only contributes to the expansion of the Rio Tinto
Copper business but also operates it. This overarching
vision involves enhancing capabilities in critical disciplines,
including geotechnical engineering for open pit slope sta-
bility and pyrometallurgy for smelting. Furthermore, the
vision encompasses fostering a workplace that is more
diverse, inclusive, and respectful, allowing individuals to
bring their best selves, and ensuring that team members are
recognized and valued for their contributions.
The Kennecott Technical group plays a vital role in sup-
porting the delivery of the Kennecott Utah Copper busi-
ness plan. Figure 1 depicts how the Kennecott Technical
group fits in with other key Rio Tinto stakeholder groups
to support the organization. Specifically for the Bingham
Canyon Open Pit Mine, the Kennecott Technical group
is highlighted as yellow and works closely with the Mine
Operations group (in red). The vision for organization cul-
ture is provided by the Culture and Everyday Respect group
(in blue). Second line technical assurance is provided by
the Central Copper Technical group (in green) and third
line technical assurance is provided by the Surface Mining
Center of Excellence (in purple). The stakeholder landscape
resembles a large and complex matrix.
Comprising approximately 150 professionals ranging
from Geologists and Engineers at the mine to Scientists
and Metallurgists at the laboratories and processing facili-
ties, the Kennecott Technical group influences every part of
the business value chain. The Bingham Canyon Open Pit
Mine and Copperton Concentrator source from a deep and
geologically complex ore body to send processed copper
Figure 1. Stakeholder Map