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.