Ministerial Statement

Roberts, Mr J.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:04): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It is with great sadness that I inform members of the recent passing of a South Australian mining veteran, John Roberts AM. Quietly spoken but hugely instrumental, John graduated as a geologist from the University of Adelaide in the 1950s to embark on a nearly 60-year career in the resources industry, culminating in his chairmanship of several exploration companies, including Mithril Resources.

As a strong advocate for his industry, John was president of the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy for 13 years, retiring in 2015. In 2014, he was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his service to the mining industry. His ascension to the presidency coincided with the launch in South Australia of the Plan for Accelerating Exploration (PACE), a government initiative to stoke international interest in the state's mineral potential.

His influence both locally and internationally led the government to appoint John as an inaugural member of the South Australian Minerals and Petroleum Export Group or SAMPEG. It was this group of mining veterans that were tasked with promoting PACE and the other benefits of investing in South Australia to a world audience. Through the work of SAMPEG, South Australia forged an international reputation that has led to the state climbing up the ranks of the Fraser Institute's survey of mining companies.

Former South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy chief executive Jason Kuchel said of John that his experience provided a deep well from which he could always draw a helpful story or example. In describing his mentor, Jason said, 'He was not one to thump the table nor did he speak the loudest, but when he spoke, he commanded attention.

John had a truly remarkable career that has left a legacy in terms of the exploration carried out by the companies he led but also the advice he provided to his colleagues in the industry and to policymakers in government. Department for Energy and Mining Chief Executive Paul Heithersay said of John that he 'wielded considerable influence in nurturing the local resources industry and emphasising the vital role of exploration in fostering discovery and resource development'.

After many years of promoting South Australia's mineral potential, there is one observation John made on his retirement that I would like to share with the house. John cited the iron ore, copper and gold discoveries at Prominent Hill and Carrapateena as critical breakthroughs in the history of exploration in South Australia. Those two discoveries proved that Olympic Dam was not alone but part of a copper province. Like John Roberts, I agree that demonstrating the existence of a copper province in this state was a watershed moment for the prosperity of South Australia. The government's condolences go to his wife, Judith, his family and his many friends. Vale John Roberts.