Bob Johnson has spent his professional life providing vital services to the global mining industry. As a pioneer in the use of computer software for modelling resources in the mid 1970s, he met a need to provide quick turn-around on drafting coal boreholes. He demonstrated true innovation by extending that service into a unique solution for the mining industry with his first company Earth Science Computer Services. He founded Maptek in 1981 to develop mining software that could be operated easily by the geologists and mining engineers themselves.

In 1986, Maptek’s first office overseas opened in Denver, Colorado. Eight more followed and Maptek offices can now be found in the US, UK, South Africa, Chile, Brazil, Peru and in Australia in Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney.

Today, Maptek provides highly regarded software and services across the mining execution value chain. These solutions provide a competitive advantage to operations by enabling them to make optimum use of their available data.

His selection as the 2015 inductee was a closely fought contest with Sverker Hartwig, a driving force in advancing rapid underground development.

Don’t forget to put your nominations in (to [email protected]) for the 2016 inductions. There are 12 categories:

1.Exploration

2.Underground development

3.Underground Production

4.Surface mining

5.Comminution

6.Concentration

7.Mining software

8.Safety

9.Bulk handling

10.Metallurgy

11.Environmental management and stewardship

12.Outstanding innovator.