John McGagh AM, FTSE, FIChemE, is a Chemical Engineer with over 35 years of experience, including 20+ years in senior executive roles in international mining and minerals. He is recognized for leading large-scale innovation programs and fostering collaboration across industry, research, and supplier alliances. As Rio Tinto’s Head of Innovation, John spearheaded the Mine of the Future™ program, achieving industrial-scale implementations of innovations such as Autonomous Haulage, Intelligent Blast Hole Drilling, Remote Operations, and advanced mineral processing systems.
John continues to contribute to the industry through leadership roles, including Chair of the ARC Training Centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources, Chief Technologist at COTEC, and advisor to KBR Infrastructure Services. He is also an Adjunct Professor and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Queensland’s Mining and Mechanical Engineering School.
John is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. In 2023, he was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for his services to mining and chemical engineering.
