It takes strong leadership to champion the mining industry and advocate for its vital role in Australia’s economy.
Australia is recognised as the world leader in mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) across many different commodity segments and technology platforms.
The mining and METS sectors combined contribute an estimated 15% of Australia’s GDP, creates more than 1.1 million jobs, and supports many regional and remote communities. Of those jobs, METS businesses employ 300,000 people directly.
As Australia’s resources sector evolves, it remains at the forefront of global mining excellence and Mining.com.au is recognising the executives going above and beyond to promote the resources industry, who support its workforce, and help shape a positive future for mining.
The winner of the inaugural Mining.com.au Masters of Mining Most Vocal Industry Supporter (Executive) award is Andrew Paterson – Managing Director of Great Boulder Resources, founder of the Exploration CEO Network, and vocal industry supporter.
Paterson is a geologist with more than 25 years of experience in mining and exploration in Australia and Papua New Guinea. After graduating from WA School of Mines in 1993 he spent several years in surface and underground gold and nickel mining operations around the Western Australian Goldfields before moving into a management role with Harmony Gold.
Since then he has managed diverse programs exploring for gold, nickel, iron ore, and lithium. In 2016, Paterson was part of the management team that recapitalised Kingston Resources, leading to Kingston’s acquisition of the 2.8 million ounce Misima Gold Project in PNG. Today, he’s at the helm of gold explorer Great Boulder and is a non-executive director at Cosmo Metals (ASX:CMO).
Paterson is one of the sector’s strongest advocates, which is highlighted by his founding of the Exploration CEO Network. Under his vision (and voice), this informal yet impactful network supports CEOs and managing directors of junior resources companies, providing a collaborative framework, encouraging new corporate leaders, and increasing the visibility of women in CEO roles within the mining industry.
While dynamic, Australia’s resources sector is a complex landscape to navigate. Global economic uncertainty, evolving energy markets, alongside commodity price and demand fluctuations, as well as heightened expectations in terms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, are ramping up pressure for companies and their employees to perform better and deliver more.
In times like these, the sector needs leadership and a loud voice to advocate for and champion those companies and people who drive the industry forward. Andrew Paterson is that person.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Great Boulder
