ASARCO
ASARCO

2 Asarco Loader Operator Jobs Hiring Near You

Mill Operator

Kearny, AZ · On-site

$22 - $28.70/hr

May operate mobile equipment such as front-end loaders, forklifts, skid-steer loaders, and overhead ... ASARCO Ray Mine has been a significant competitor in copper production for several decades. With ...

ASARCO Jobs Information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Loader Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Loader Operator, you need expertise in operating heavy machinery, a high school diploma or equivalent, and often a valid equipment operator’s license or certification. Familiarity with equipment such as front-end loaders, forklifts, and basic maintenance tools is important, as is adherence to safety protocols. Attention to detail, reliability, and effective communication are essential soft skills for preventing accidents and ensuring smooth operations. These abilities are crucial for maintaining safety, productivity, and minimizing downtime on construction or industrial sites.

What are some common challenges faced by Loader Operators on construction sites, and how can they be managed effectively?

Loader Operators often encounter challenges such as working in confined spaces, managing heavy loads, and maintaining safety while operating machinery around other workers and equipment. Effective communication with site supervisors and other team members is essential to coordinate movements and avoid accidents. Regular equipment inspections and adherence to safety protocols help prevent breakdowns and injuries, ensuring smooth daily operations. Building experience and staying up to date with industry best practices can also make handling these challenges more manageable.

What is a Loader Operator?

A Loader Operator is a skilled equipment operator who uses heavy machinery, such as front-end loaders or wheel loaders, to move materials like soil, gravel, sand, or debris on construction sites, mines, or other work environments. Their responsibilities include loading and unloading materials, maintaining the equipment, and following safety protocols to ensure efficient and safe operations. Loader Operators often work closely with other construction or site workers to keep projects running smoothly.

What is the difference between Loader Operator vs Excavator Operator?

AspectLoader OperatorExcavator Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, OSHA safety training, equipment-specific certificationsHigh school diploma, OSHA safety training, equipment-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, mining, material handlingConstruction sites, mining, excavation projects
Job DutiesLoading materials, moving debris, site cleanupDigging trenches, lifting heavy materials, excavation

Both Loader Operators and Excavator Operators require similar certifications and work in construction or mining environments. The main difference lies in their specific tasks: Loader Operators focus on loading and moving materials, while Excavator Operators handle digging and excavation work.

What are the most popular categories at Asarco?
Infographic showing various Loader Operator job openings at Asarco in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.
Mill Operator

Mill Operator

ASARCO LLC

Kearny, AZ • On-site

$22 - $28.70/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


ASARCO rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 29 rated mining


Job description

Compensation:
$22.00 - $28.70/hr, depending on experience
Seeking all levels from no experience to highly experienced
Responsibilities:
  • Complete duties within the Mill process which could include tasks within the following areas: crushing and conveyance, SAG, ball mills, roughers, cleaners, regrind, flotation cells, copper thickeners, concentrate filtration, tailing thickener, and mill control room
  • Takes process readings and makes necessary process changes or adjustments
  • Uses electronic process monitoring system to monitor conveyor, plant systems and equipment
  • Performs start-up and shutdown of plant or related systems
  • Operates processing equipment and makes adjustments as needed; performs basic maintenance on processing equipment and reports maintenance issues
  • May operate mobile equipment such as front-end loaders, forklifts, skid-steer loaders, and overhead cranes
  • Performs area housekeeping duties and may perform work area and safety audits
  • Work safely around moving equipment while using required safety equipment.
  • Use of general hand tools and shovels.

Physical Demands:
  • Must be able to work in areas in industrial plant settings with potentially adverse conditions
  • Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
  • Must be able to work 12 hour rotating shifts (days and nights).
  • Must be able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructional and procedural manuals

Requirements:
  • Candidates must successfully complete a criminal background check and a pre-employment medical exam, including drug screen.
  • Completion of training in Environmental Awareness.
  • Training in Safety & Health Awareness, including completion of the appropriate MSHA training.
  • English language fluency: At least B1-Intermediate: Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.

Why you should work with us:
  • Copper Price Bonus: Eligible for up to a $2,500 quarterly bonus.
  • Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits: Effective on the date of hire.
  • Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance: Coverage provided at no cost to employees.
  • 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan: Includes employer contribution/match to support your retirement savings.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for personal and professional issues.
  • Internal Progression Opportunities: Focus on career development and internal promotions.
  • Overtime Opportunities: Available as needed, providing additional earning potential.
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program
    • Vaccination Clinic
    • Biometric and Health Screening Events onsite (no cost)
  • Vanpool/Bus options
  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance - Employer Paid
  • Short Term Disability - Employer Paid
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses
  • Teledoc
  • Generous Vacation & Holiday Pay
    • 10 Paid Holidays
    • Paid Vacation
      • After probation Under 5 years 80 hours paid vacation accrued annually
      • After 5 Years of Service 120 hours paid vacation accrued annually
      • After 12 Years of Service 160 hours paid vacation accrued annually
      • After 20 Years of Service 200 hours paid vacation accrued annually

ASARCO Ray Mine, located 64 miles southeast of Phoenix and 70 miles northeast of Tucson, is a significant copper mining operation. ASARCO Ray Mine has been a significant competitor in copper production for several decades. With its robust infrastructure, including the mill, SX-EW plant, and storage facilities, it is poised to continue operations for many years, benefiting from decades of copper reserves. This ensures a reliable future for copper production in the region.
It encompasses several components critical to its operations:
Open-pit mining: The Ray Mine extracts copper ore from an open-pit mine, which has been operational since the late 1980s.
Leach and Barren Rock Deposition Area: This area is used for the leaching process, where copper is extracted from ore using a chemical solution. The barren rock deposition area stores waste materials from this process.
Ray Mill: The concentrator at Ray processes up to 30,000 tons of ore per day. Through flotation, copper concentrate is produced, which is a key step before further refining.
Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning Plant (SX-EW): This plant uses a chemical process to extract copper from the leach solution and electro-wines copper cathodes. The SX-EW method is an efficient way to produce high-purity copper directly from ore.
Tailings Deposition Facility: The tailings produced by the flotation process at the concentrator are stored in a designated facility. These tailings consist of waste materials that no longer contain commercially viable amounts of copper.