The tributes that flowed spoke of his inspirational leadership, compassion, support for women in mining, and his determination for mining to make a difference in a net-zero world.
IGO led the way with its tribute.
“Peter Bradford was an inspirational leader to our people, was highly respected in the mining industry, and leaves behind an incredible legacy,” it said.
“We will remember (him) as a kind-hearted leader who put our people first and created a unique culture that we are all proud of. His exceptional leadership led IGO to become an ASX 100 company with a clear focus and purpose to make a difference. He advocated for gender diversity and equity, had a strong belief in developing the next generation and gave back to the mining industry in so many ways.”
Peter was born in Dalwallinu in the West Australian wheatbelt and studied metallurgy at the WA School of Mines. He had initially planned to study medicine but changed his mind after attending an information session from the WA School of Mines. He went on to study a Bachelor of Extractive Metallurgy in Kalgoorlie, where he embraced the town and the people he met there.
He was a long-term member and former Vice President of the WA Mining Club.
Former Mining Club president and Platform Communications Director Kirsty Danby said Peter was generous with his time, a strong supporter of women in mining, and did a great deal to help develop the next generation of mining professionals through mentoring and supporting young people.
“Much will be said about his extraordinary career,” Danby said. “A true leader, he tackled every endeavour with total commitment.
“He celebrated mining’s rich history and championed its importance in helping to achieve a clean energy future.
“It was this belief that drove him to transform IGO.
“I worked closely with Peter during my time as President of the WA Mining Club, when he was a committee member and Vice- President, positions which allowed his strong belief in mining to shine through.
“He was a dear friend, and I will miss his cheeky humour, colourful storytelling, and wise counsel.
“His passing is a terrible loss for the mining sector but devastating for his family, Peter’s great love.”
Mining Club President Natalie Taylor recalled that Peter was an inveterate globe trotter and worked as far afield as Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo in gold and copper.
“Peter was a one-of-a-kind mentor, leader and ambassador for our great mining industry and will be deeply missed by all. His sense of humour and passion for a better world will be missed,” she said.
“He took his vast international experience in mining and pivoted towards the critical minerals needed in this age of renewable energy.
“Peter had an unshakeable belief in the transformative power of mining to not only improve the lives of millions of people in poverty, but to become a lynchpin for a planet on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.
“He was a strong guiding presence at IGO and an inspiring visionary for our industry.
“He will always be seen as a giant figure in the WA mining industry, a leader of great integrity and a very kind and generous man.”
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies Chief Executive Officer Warren Pearce said that as President Peter led AMEC in becoming truly national, believing that explorers and juniors all across the country needed a strong voice to represent their interests.
“He led us through two years of the COVID pandemic, which had heavy impacts for all our members, and he was an unwavering voice for increasing diversity in our industry and driving harassment and bullying out,” Pearce said.
“He was also one of the industry’s most strident and passionate voices for responsible and sustainable mining practices, and the critical role that mining must play in producing the minerals the world needs to decarbonise.
“Those who knew him well, will remember him as a man who loved our industry, but cared much more about the people who work in it. Peter understood that our people are what makes our industry so special.
“He always walked the talk. He led by example, and he inspired others to follow his lead.
“He made time to support others, particularly young people pursuing careers in mining. He always had a kind word of encouragement or a bit of helpful advice.
“For a person of his stature and achievement, Peter was surprisingly humble. He was warm, friendly caring, and relentlessly optimistic. He was quick with a joke, often laughing loudest at the jokes he’d make at his own expense.”
Women in Mining founder and chair and Director of the WA School Mines Sabina Shugg said Peter was at the front of taking up new technologies and ideas as shown where he led IGO to become an upstream mining and downstream processing battery metals company working to enable future-facing technologies and the charge to global decarbonisation.
“He and IGO committed to supporting the establishment of the new Kalgoorlie Metals Research Lab at WASM. This is aiming to be Australia’s most advanced high-temperature metallurgy lab with new capabilities to meet global demand for critical minerals and carbon-neutral metals. With his vision and support we secured initial funding and support from IGO and other partners.
“Many people talk about creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, but Peter’s leadership was action based as evidenced by the makeup of the board and executive of IGO and the great outcomes of this team.
“His leadership also showed in the way he actively, and fully, participated in WIMWA by being a mentor time after time, and attending the associated events including the annual summit, making the time, as a busy CEO, to not just make an appearance but to really be there.
“This visible leadership continued in other parts of his career and life including his work with AMEC where, together with Warren Pearce the CEO, they introduced, and hit, targets to make significant change across AMEC council and all AMEC committees. They made diversity and inclusion one of their key strategies and are working to support and educate members in this not always easy journey.
“If only we could all leave such a legacy of not only embracing but also enacting change – by being a visible leader and using your influence to do things differently and in a tangible way. And at the same time leaving everyone you interact with feeling they were important and of value. That’s what Peter did, and we are much richer for having known him.”
The WA School of Mines Alumni added its voice, saying that drawing on his humble background, Peter wanted to support students to have the same opportunities he had by becoming chair of the WAIT Alumni Scholarships Campaign Committee.
Through this he helped to fund scholarships for students and encouraged others to do the same.
In 2020, he was named an Honorary Doctorate of Curtin University for his distinguished services to Curtin through outstanding leadership, advocacy, and philanthropic support of mining education.
“He always made time to have a chat and was a mentor to countless students, graduates, and mining professionals. He was a champion of gender diversity in the industry,” it said in a statement.
The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy said Peter’s longterm advocacy has led to profound and sustained change for our industry, particularly through his championing of workforce diversity and the efforts he made to highlight the vital and evergrowing importance of women in mining and resources.
Part of the transformation of IGO was its joint venture with Tianqi Lithium.
Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia said Peter was a much admired and valued member of its board since the partnership between IGO and TLC was completed on 30 June 2021.
“He will be remembered as someone with a strong sense of ethics, purpose and respect, and will be deeply missed,” TLEA said in a statement.
Perhaps Peter should have the final word. In an article for this year’s Minesite, he said: “A key part of our culture at IGO is care – we care for people’s safety – whether it’s physical, mental, or financial.
“Delivering on our purpose, and to being carbon neutral, can only be achieved with the commitment of our most important asset, our people. By having the best people in our teams and working cooperatively and collaboratively with people outside our teams, we can be better together and truly make a difference to the world of tomorrow.”
