QRC president John Pegler paid tribute to Johnston’s leadership, saying she had transformed the mining industry representative body and earned the respect of the sector’s stakeholders.

Achievements during her tenure included QRC and the Queensland Government committing to a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy to address skills shortages in the resources sector; gaining government commitment to a new regime on minesite rehabilitation; and developing a 5-year health and safety plan.

“The Queensland Resources Council and the sector in general are better for Susan’s contribution. We are delighted for Susan, her husband Chris and their family, and we wish them every possible future success,” Pegler said.

Johnston will take a one-year break from full-time employment while she has a baby, but will maintain her positions on the Tarong Energy Corporation and Southbank Corporation Boards.

Pegler said the QRC Board would search for a suitable person to maintain and extend the constructive momentum of the last few years.

“This is a critical period of expansion for the Queensland resources sector and the policy advocacy role played by QRC. It is in everyone’s interests to have a full-time, fully briefed chief executive officer in place before Susan’s departure”