South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy


The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy is the industry body representing companies with interests in the South Australian minerals, energy, extractive, and oil & gas sectors, including those who provide services to these companies. SACOME is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation founded in 1979, and comprises a small team serving the needs of approximately 130 member organisations. SACOME are governed by a Council that oversees organisational priorities and policy direction and are guided by many committees that focus on specific aspects of the sector.
Over the years the organisation has published a number of regular periodicals including the SA Mines and Energy journal, has been the subject of several feature articles in the resources sector magazine Australia's Paydirt, and released SACOME Priorities: State Election 2018 and 2024Vision for the Resources Sector

History

SACOME were founded in 1979.

South Australian Resources Sector 2024 Vision

In 2019, the SACOME Council developed a five year vision for the South Australia Resources Sector to showcase the many benefits the sector brings to South Australia and to provide a roadmap for future growth and prosperity.

Advocacy

Port Bonython

SACOME believes that the growth of iron ore mining in South Australia has been limited by the state's lack of bulk commodities port infrastructure. In 2011, SACOME's CEO Jason Kuchel publicly supported the chosen location for a future 3 km iron ore export wharf at Port Bonython, northeast of Whyalla in South Australia's upper Spencer Gulf region. The location is controversial due to its close proximity to breeding reef for the Northern Spencer Gulf population of giant Australian cuttlefish. The proposed port's potential environmental impact has been challenged by community groups including Save Point Lowly and the Alternative Port Working Party.
Since then other locations have been considered including the Iron Road Limited proposal at Cape Hardy on the Eyre Peninsula.

Nuclear power

SACOME supports the future development of nuclear power in South Australia. Among its members are several companies actively involved in uranium mining and exploration. These include BHP Billiton, Areva Resources Australia, Heathgate Resources and Uranium SA. SACOME's Chief Executive Jason Kuchel believes that small modular nuclear reactors could potentially provide energy to remote resources projects, including at mine sites. Kuchel's advocacy has been acknowledged by Australian Mining magazine as having influenced the establishment of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission in 2016.

Dirt TV awards

In 2014, SACOME launched Dirt TV, a competition to encourage school students in years 7 to 12 to produce short videos creatively promoting the resources sector. The inaugural award was won by high school students James Haskard and Daniel Blake of Concordia College. 14 entries were received and resource company sponsors provided a total prize pool of $10,000.The competition ran from 2014 to 2016.

Council

SACOME is governed by an elected council that comprises leaders from within the South Australian mining and energy industry.
The Councillors for 2020 are:
2018
2014:
2015: