After eight years in the role, Dr James Johnson has announced that the timing is right for him to transition into retirement.
Dr Johnson said that Geoscience Australia has never been in better shape.
“We have never been more respected, more relevant, or more relied upon and trusted to deliver.
“It is the perfect time for organisational renewal; an injection of fresh ideas and a fresh approach at the top to take an already strong organisation to new and greater heights,” Dr Johnson said.
After 20 years in the mining and mineral exploration industries, Dr Johnson joined Geoscience Australia in January 2006 as the Chief of the Minerals Division.
“Every day, I feel privileged to lead this organisation and advocate for our team’s work, which is so valuable to the nation.
“The last eight years as Chief Executive Officer have been the highlight of my career,” Dr Johnson said.
Over the past eight years, Geoscience Australia has celebrated many successes, including creating the Digital Earth Australia platform for satellite Earth observations and delivering the Exploring for the Future program.
“Our precompetitive geoscience programs, in concert with those of the state and Northern Territory Geological Surveys, have changed perceptions of Australia’s attractiveness for resources exploration – taking us from eight per cent of global exploration expenditure to 18 per cent over eight years – and delivered incredible outcomes, including securing vital groundwater resources for several remote communities.
“There are so many achievements I am proud of during my time here, and I am excited to see where the organisation will go next.
A recruitment process for Dr Johnson’s successor is underway. Dr Johnson will continue as CEO until an appointment is made.
The Minerals Council of Australia thanked Dr Johnson for his service and leadership as CEO of Geoscience Australia and congratulated him on his remarkable career as a geologist in mining and mineral exploration.
MCA’s CEO, Tania Constable, said Geoscience Australia had grown significantly during Dr Johnson’s tenure.
“Under Dr Johnson’s leadership, mineral exploration expenditure in Australia reached a record high of $4.2 billion in 2023,” Ms Constable said.
“Exploration is an essential part of the minerals industry. It takes 16 years for a mine to move from exploration to production, and Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program has helped reveal Australia’s minerals, energy and groundwater resource potential.
“Better exploration data, particularly in remote and underexplored areas, informs investment decisions and helps create the business conditions needed to attract investment, boost productivity, and future-proof the economy.
“The MCA extends its best wishes to Dr James Johnson and his family as they embark on the next chapter.”
Featured image: AKA_KerKer/shutterstock.com
