Leadership Bench Across Australia

John Soubotian is a senior mining leader with over 40 years' experience delivering end-to-end mining projects and operations across Australia, from commissioning through to mine closure. John has extensive underground metalliferous mining experience and has led large multidisciplinary teams in complex operational environments while consistently delivering strong safety, operational and commercial outcomes.

His expertise spans capital project delivery, operational readiness, contractor governance, procurement, claims management and disciplined risk management. John is also a former Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) Quarry Manager Board of Examiners member, demonstrating his deep industry knowledge and recognised expertise in statutory mining leadership.

With international project exposure and a strong ability to build trusted relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders, John provides decisive leadership, strategic oversight and operational direction across all stages of the mining lifecycle.

Mike Elliott is a senior mining professional with over 40 years of experience leading large-scale mining operations across Australia, Africa, and Asia. His career spans Western Australia, New South Wales, Egypt, Myanmar, and China, with exposure to a diverse range of commodities including iron ore, magnetite, gold, copper, diamonds, nickel, and quarrying.

Mike has held senior leadership and statutory positions including Chief Mining Engineer, Quarry Manager, Mine Manager, and General Manager, with full operational accountability for multiple large mining operations. He consistently delivers safe, compliant, and commercially disciplined outcomes in complex and high-risk environments.

His leadership is grounded in practical, hands-on experience, having progressed through the industry from Shift Safety Representative through to senior executive roles. This depth of experience allows him to step into operations and provide immediate direction, stability, and performance uplift.

Mike brings deep capability across all facets of mining operations, including Life of Mine planning, short and medium-term production planning, drill and blast optimisation, load and haul performance, ore quality control, and cost management. He is known for integrating planning, maintenance, and production functions to ensure consistent delivery against safety, compliance, and production targets.

He has successfully managed large workforces and contractor fleets, including overseeing operations while maintaining low Lost Time Injury (LTI) rates and strong safety outcomes.

Mike has played key roles in major project delivery and complex operations, including securing operating licenses for high-risk magnetite projects in Western Australia involving asbestos-affected ore, and contributing to the safe commissioning of large-scale international mining operations without serious injury.

A respected leader, Mike is known for building strong safety cultures, mentoring supervisors and engineers to achieve statutory qualifications, and developing high-performing teams across diverse environments. His leadership style is direct, practical, and outcomes-focused, with a strong emphasis on accountability, operational discipline, and workforce engagement.

He is also highly competent in mining systems and reporting, with experience in Micromine, Global Mapper, and advanced operational reporting and cost control systems.

Peter Stregas is a Mining Engineer and senior mining executive with over 40 years' experience across underground, open-pit, and multi-commodity operations internationally.

He has led mining projects from feasibility study through design and construction to operational delivery, with a strong track record in mine start-ups.

Peter is highly experienced in team recruitment, operational leadership, and building high-performing site cultures that deliver safe, efficient, and on-budget production outcomes.

He combines strong technical expertise with disciplined governance and practical, results-driven leadership across open-pit and underground operations, feasibility-to-operations delivery, and mine start-ups.

Rob Lewis is a highly experienced Workplace Health and Safety professional with extensive experience across the mining, resources and heavy industry sectors throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. His career has focused on occupational hygiene, WHS leadership, compliance, risk management and workforce development, helping organisations create safer, more productive and legislatively compliant workplaces.

Throughout his career, Rob has held senior positions including Occupational Hygienist, Project Manager, Senior WHS Consultant, Safety, Training and Emergency Response Manager, and WHS Manager. He has successfully led health and safety initiatives across surface and underground mining, mineral processing and industrial operations, providing practical solutions in compliance, auditing, incident investigations, occupational hygiene and safety management systems.

In addition to his operational and consulting experience, Rob is highly regarded for his expertise in auditing, incident investigation and injury management. He is an experienced Lead Auditor, a qualified ICAM Lead Investigator and has extensive experience coordinating workplace injury management and return-to-work programs. His ability to identify systemic risks, investigate incidents, verify compliance and implement practical corrective actions provides clients with confidence that both safety performance and legislative obligations are being effectively managed.

As part of the MMA team, Rob provides specialist expertise in occupational hygiene, WHS leadership, compliance assurance and organisational risk management. His combination of technical knowledge, operational experience and practical leadership enables clients to improve safety performance, strengthen governance and maintain compliance across all stages of mining operations.