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I didn't start my career as a geologist. I was one of those guys who did a degree in economics, went out into the world and did what I was supposed to do. And it sucked. I just didn't enjoy my life on a day-to-day basis. Then one day, my wife told me to go back to school. She told me to do something I love – so I chose geology.
Since then, I’ve never had a day where I don't want to go to work in the morning. We start early, and when the weather is good, we spend up to 3 weeks at a time outdoors. Forest, tundra, desert; wherever there are rocks to be collected, we get to go there. Sure, we still spend some time in the office – but there's nothing quite like walking through the bush, looking for samples.
It's like a hunt. But we're hunting mineralization that shows us where the next Rio Tinto mine could be. And yeah, the stakes are high. You don't just stumble on a copper mine by accident. But that's part of what makes it so fulfilling. I think that's why most of the geologists I've met are still so passionate about what they do.
It really made me see the world in a whole new light. We get to learn a new language that most people don't speak. - Chris Pettman, Head of Exploration, Rio Tinto Canada
They look at a rock and see something gray and dull. We look at the same rock and see the entire history of the Earth compressed into that one object.
These rocks have been around for millions of years, and they still have something to tell us. I never would have been exposed to any of this if I'd stuck with my first choice [of career]. And I'm so glad that I get to do this instead. It really is one of the best jobs in the world."
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As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of our Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
With the exception of the use of cookies (explained below), Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
Part 1 of this Privacy Policy contains the Rio Tinto Data Privacy Standard, which provides an overview of Rio Tinto’s approach to personal data processing. There is additional information in the appendices to the Data Privacy Standard, including information about disclosures, trans-border data transfers, the exercise of data subject rights and how to make complaints or obtain further information relating to Rio Tinto’s processing of your personal data.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us at digital.comms@riotinto.com).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of this Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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