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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-05-16 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

Johns, Mr K.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I do so to express condolences and draw to the attention of the house the passing of Keith Johns OAM, a key figure in the history of our state's mining sector. Mr Johns was Director-General of the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy from 1983 to 1992, the culmination of a career in the department, which he joined in 1948.

Keith was a brilliant and creative individual, a real professional who epitomised the level of talent in this state's public service that we too often take for granted. Keith studied geology at the University of Adelaide and was among the last students of the famed explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. He joined the department to work on regional mapping projects, rising through the ranks to lead as director-general 35 years later.

His larger-than-life way of managing was, in his own words, flying by the seat of his pants, and he was renowned for fostering a positive culture that he called 'jollying people up'. Keith was across every brief, and he had a deep understanding of policy development. Under his leadership:

crude oil and condensate were first exported from Port Bonython;

codes of practice for petroleum exploration were drawn up and implemented;

mining and petroleum acts were amended to improve efficiency and governance; and

the initiative began to create a drill core library in Glenside.

In retirement, Keith became a renowned author, telling the story of the Olympic Dam mine in a book called A Mirage in the Desert? The book provided his personal account about the development of this iconic mine in the face of scepticism and opposition.

During his career in the department, Keith had worked as deputy government geologist and supervising geologist for the Mineral Resources Division of the Geological Survey. From the mid-1960s, the Geological Survey oversaw private sector exploration that led to the discovery of sedimentary uranium deposits at Beverley in 1969, Honeymoon Hut in 1971 and eventually to the copper, gold and uranium resource of Olympic Dam in 1975.

He authored several papers on the history and opportunity for mining in Australia and served as a foundation member of the Geological Society of Australia. In 2009, Keith was awarded the Bruce Webb Medal by the Geological Society of Australia's SA division, an award which recognises a distinguished person for leadership to advance earth sciences. He received the Medal of the Order of Australia, general division, for his services to the mineral resources sector for research and leadership.

We extend the condolences of the house and the department to the family and friends of Mr Johns. Like the little rocks he loved to explore, the legacy of Keith Johns will survive the test of time. His contribution to the mining sector helped set up generations of South Australians to enjoy prosperity in a sector which is governed safely and sustainably. As we go to grow the energy and mining sector, developing our hydrogen sector, decarbonising the economy and adding value to our resources, we do so thanks to the efforts of those who went before us. Keith Johns was amongst those who stood tall and showed us the way ahead.

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