A decades-long Aboriginal trainee program at Rio Tinto has produced its first manager at the company's Weipa bauxite mine in Queensland.

The historic leadership appointment of Thanikwithi woman and long-serving Rio Tinto employee Shiona Budby at the company's Amrun bauxite operations will see the mother of three lead more than 300 employees at the operations site.

Ms Budby, who is also a mother to three girls aged under 11, began her career with the global miner more than a decade ago as a trainee mine operator through its Local Aboriginal Person (LAP) traineeship program, which has run since 2002 and trained more than 300 Indigenous peoples.

When Ms Budby first joined Rio Tinto in 2015, she was a young mother seeking stability and a fresh start for her family.

She faced enormous challenges, balancing long shifts with parenting responsibilities, while also navigating the workforce as a young Indigenous woman.

Along her 10-year journey, she has gained a reputation for being determined, focused and hard-working.

The young mum credits her development at Rio Tinto to strong relationships built within the company, and the guidance of mentors across Weipa's bauxite operations.

"Building strong relationships through shared lived experiences is the foundation of productivity and success," Ms Budby said, who has worked as an operator, grade controller, supervisor and production superintendent before her rise to a manager role, where she would focus on fostering a workplace culture where others could thrive.

"To me, being a manager means creating strong foundations that enable people to succeed in their roles."

Ms Budby aims to inspire future LAP leaders, encouraging them to feel confident in who they were, and where they come from, while empowering them to lead with strength and pride in their culture.

Rio Tinto's elevation of a former LAP program trainee for the first time to a key managerial role at the mine site on Queensland's Cape York Peninsula was a proud moment for the company.

Weipa operations general manager Steve Dunstone said Ms Budby's appointment as mine manager was a historic milestone and testament to the company's focus on providing Indigenous jobs.

"Her progression through the company reflects both her personal resilience and the strength of Rio Tinto's commitment to nurturing local Indigenous talent," he said.

"This achievement is not only a testament to Shiona's leadership, dedication, and deep connection to Country, but also a powerful symbol of progress for Rio Tinto.

"It marks a significant step forward in building a more inclusive and representative future for our operations and our communities."