Dr Paul Heithersay has arguably been the most influential government scientist/executive in the global minerals sector over the past decade. The initiatives implemented to encourage mineral exploration and development in South Australia have been copied by government agencies worldwide. South Australia has gone from a mineral exploration and development backwater to being consistently ranked among the world's best places for the minerals industry to do business. His leadership of the Olympic Dam Task Force ? despite commercial decisions on its futrure ? has been crucial in delivering benefits to industry, community, traditional owners and the environment.