Mining & Natural Resources Jobs in Arizona with TN Sponsorship
Arizona's mining and natural resources sector is one of the most active in the country, with major copper, coal, and aggregate operations anchoring cities like Tucson, Globe, and Safford. Companies such as Freeport-McMoRan, BHP, and ASARCO regularly hire professionals in roles that qualify under TN visa categories, making Arizona a strong market for Canadian and Mexican nationals seeking TN sponsorship.
See All Mining & Natural Resources JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 64+ Mining & Natural Resources TN Sponsorship Jobs in Arizona jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 64+ Mining & Natural Resources TN Sponsorship Jobs in Arizona jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mining & Natural Resources TN Sponsorship Jobs in Arizona roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Description:
ASARCO is seeking a Responsible Tailings and Water Operations Engineer (RTWOE) to oversee mine tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and related water management systems at the Ray and Hayden operations. This role is accountable for the integrity of all active, inactive, and closed facilities; while ensuring safety, compliance, and long-term risk management. The position will oversee the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of TSFs and water systems to meet ICMM, GISTM, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards. This is a field-intensive role requiring significant on-site presence to support safe operations.
The RTWOE will report to the corporate technical services group with direct communication to the Accountable Executive (AE), ensuring governance, independent risk management, and adherence to ASARCO's tailings policies and commitments. Close working relationships will be maintained with the Engineer-of-Record (EoR), Regional Geotechnical Manager, Tailings Superintendent, and the Corporate Water Management Team.
Key Responsibilities:
Tailings and Water Management:
- Serve as the Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer for Ray and Hayden operations, ensuring the stability and integrity of TSFs.
- Oversee tailings deposition and water management plans, including strategies for water removal, storage, and reclamation.
- Conduct risk assessments and ensure proper hazard identification, mitigation strategies, and safety controls for TSFs and water systems.
- Challenge and review recommendations from the Engineer of Record (EoR) and ensure alignment with GISTM and ICMM governance best practices.
- Develop and maintain Emergency Response Plans and Operations, Maintenance, and Surveillance (OMS) Manuals and ensure site adherence.
- Oversee the monitoring, instrumentation planning, data interpretation, QA/QC procedures for tailings and water management.
Compliance and Governance:
- Ensure strict compliance with ICMM, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ADEQ BADCT regulations.
- Maintain direct reporting to ASARCO's technical governance group while ensuring close collaboration with site management.
- Coordinate and participate in inspections and meetings by third parties such as Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB), Engineer-of-Record, State agencies, and water regulatory bodies and provide technical leadership and ensuring third-party recommendations are implemented.
- Oversee crisis response planning and emergency preparedness for tailings and water-related risks.
- Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to both tailings and water management. Collaborate with the Tailings Superintendents and the corporate Water Management Team to develop and implement action plans for resolving issues.
Technical Oversight and Review:
- Provide technical review and oversight on TSF and water system projects conducted internally or by external consultants and contractors.
- Ensure long-term risk management strategies are in place, extending beyond day-to-day operations to include climate change resilience and closure planning.
- Use advanced water modeling tools to analyze current and future water storage conditions, optimizing TSF performance.
Training and Capacity Building:
- Develop and implement structured training programs for TSF operators and engineers, ensuring alignment with GISTM training requirements.
- Contribute to succession planning by mentoring junior engineers and ensuring long-term technical capability in tailings and water management.
- Maintain a strong presence in industry forums and internal workshops, continuously improving best practices.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Minimum of five years of experience in tailings and/or water management engineering in a mining environment.
- Technical expertise in TSF stability analysis, soil/rock mechanics, hydrology, and geotechnical engineering.
- Strong leadership and governance understanding, with experience in regulatory compliance and third-party audits.
Computer Software Skills:
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- AutoCAD Civil3D
- Water modeling software (e.g., GoldSim, HEC-RAS) preferred
- Minebridge Muk3D preferred
Education & Certifications:
- B.S. Degree in Mining, Civil, Geotechnical, or Environmental Engineering (or a related field).
- EIT required, with PE certification, to be obtained within a 5 year period.
Job Description:
ASARCO is seeking a Responsible Tailings and Water Operations Engineer (RTWOE) to oversee mine tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and related water management systems at the Ray and Hayden operations. This role is accountable for the integrity of all active, inactive, and closed facilities; while ensuring safety, compliance, and long-term risk management. The position will oversee the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of TSFs and water systems to meet ICMM, GISTM, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards. This is a field-intensive role requiring significant on-site presence to support safe operations.
The RTWOE will report to the corporate technical services group with direct communication to the Accountable Executive (AE), ensuring governance, independent risk management, and adherence to ASARCO's tailings policies and commitments. Close working relationships will be maintained with the Engineer-of-Record (EoR), Regional Geotechnical Manager, Tailings Superintendent, and the Corporate Water Management Team.
Key Responsibilities:
Tailings and Water Management:
- Serve as the Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer for Ray and Hayden operations, ensuring the stability and integrity of TSFs.
- Oversee tailings deposition and water management plans, including strategies for water removal, storage, and reclamation.
- Conduct risk assessments and ensure proper hazard identification, mitigation strategies, and safety controls for TSFs and water systems.
- Challenge and review recommendations from the Engineer of Record (EoR) and ensure alignment with GISTM and ICMM governance best practices.
- Develop and maintain Emergency Response Plans and Operations, Maintenance, and Surveillance (OMS) Manuals and ensure site adherence.
- Oversee the monitoring, instrumentation planning, data interpretation, QA/QC procedures for tailings and water management.
Compliance and Governance:
- Ensure strict compliance with ICMM, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ADEQ BADCT regulations.
- Maintain direct reporting to ASARCO's technical governance group while ensuring close collaboration with site management.
- Coordinate and participate in inspections and meetings by third parties such as Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB), Engineer-of-Record, State agencies, and water regulatory bodies and provide technical leadership and ensuring third-party recommendations are implemented.
- Oversee crisis response planning and emergency preparedness for tailings and water-related risks.
- Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to both tailings and water management. Collaborate with the Tailings Superintendents and the corporate Water Management Team to develop and implement action plans for resolving issues.
Technical Oversight and Review:
- Provide technical review and oversight on TSF and water system projects conducted internally or by external consultants and contractors.
- Ensure long-term risk management strategies are in place, extending beyond day-to-day operations to include climate change resilience and closure planning.
- Use advanced water modeling tools to analyze current and future water storage conditions, optimizing TSF performance.
Training and Capacity Building:
- Develop and implement structured training programs for TSF operators and engineers, ensuring alignment with GISTM training requirements.
- Contribute to succession planning by mentoring junior engineers and ensuring long-term technical capability in tailings and water management.
- Maintain a strong presence in industry forums and internal workshops, continuously improving best practices.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Minimum of five years of experience in tailings and/or water management engineering in a mining environment.
- Technical expertise in TSF stability analysis, soil/rock mechanics, hydrology, and geotechnical engineering.
- Strong leadership and governance understanding, with experience in regulatory compliance and third-party audits.
Computer Software Skills:
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- AutoCAD Civil3D
- Water modeling software (e.g., GoldSim, HEC-RAS) preferred
- Minebridge Muk3D preferred
Education & Certifications:
- B.S. Degree in Mining, Civil, Geotechnical, or Environmental Engineering (or a related field).
- EIT required, with PE certification, to be obtained within a 5 year period.
Job Roles in Mining & Natural Resources in Arizona
See all 64+ Mining & Natural Resources Arizona jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mining & Natural Resources Arizona roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which mining and natural resources companies sponsor TN visas in Arizona?
Freeport-McMoRan, one of the world's largest copper producers, operates extensively in Arizona and has a history of hiring internationally. BHP's Copper North America division and ASARCO are also significant employers in the state. Smaller contract mining firms and environmental consulting companies operating around the Tucson and Phoenix corridors also sponsor TN workers, though sponsorship availability varies by role, project cycle, and hiring period.
Which cities in Arizona have the most mining and natural resources TN sponsorship jobs?
The greatest concentration of mining-related TN positions in Arizona falls around the Copper Triangle, which includes Globe, Miami, and Safford, where large open-pit copper mines operate year-round. Tucson serves as a regional hub for mining engineering and environmental consultancies. Phoenix occasionally has corporate and technical support roles tied to mining operations, particularly in project management, geological services, and environmental compliance functions.
What types of mining and natural resources roles typically qualify for TN sponsorship?
TN sponsorship in mining commonly covers engineers (mining, geological, environmental, and civil), geologists, chemists, and environmental scientists, all of which appear on the USMCA TN occupation list. The role must require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and the job duties must directly correspond to the listed TN category. Roles like equipment operators or general mine laborers do not qualify because they are not degree-level professional occupations.
How do I find mining and natural resources TN sponsorship jobs in Arizona?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for TN-eligible candidates searching for employer-sponsored roles in the U.S. You can filter by visa type, state, and industry to surface mining and natural resources TN sponsorship jobs in Arizona directly. This saves significant time compared to searching general job boards that don't filter by sponsorship availability. Listings on Migrate Mate are tagged to help Canadian and Mexican professionals identify companies actively open to TN hiring.
Are there any state-specific considerations for TN sponsorship in Arizona's mining industry?
Arizona's mining operations are subject to both federal and state environmental regulations, which means many TN-eligible roles have a strong environmental compliance and permitting component. Candidates should be aware that remote mine site locations, common in southeastern and central Arizona, can affect day-to-day work conditions. TN status requires maintaining a qualifying employer-employee relationship, so project-based or contract mining work should be structured carefully to ensure the arrangement meets USCIS and CBP requirements.
See which mining & natural resources employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in Arizona right now.
Search Mining & Natural Resources Jobs in Arizona