The Australian resources sector is mourning the loss of Dr Erica Smyth AC, a pioneering geologist and executive celebrated as a monumental figure for women in mining and petroleum. Dr Smyth passed away at the age of 73 following a short illness.
A Path Forged in the Bush
Born in Geraldton, Western Australia, Erica Smyth began her career as a geologist working in remote areas. She famously carved a path at a time when the executive ranks of major resource companies were almost exclusively male. Dr Smyth was one of the first women to crack the executive ranks of Australia's major resources companies, holding key leadership positions at BHP, BHP-Utah, BHP Petroleum, and Woodside Energy over a nearly 40-year period.
Her influence extended far beyond the corporate office. According to Screenwest, an organisation she chaired from 2007 to 2012, Dr Smyth served on more than 60 boards and committees throughout her lifetime. This remarkable contribution spanned both the business and not-for-profit sectors.
A Legacy of Leadership and Recognition
Her board roles were vast and varied, demonstrating her wide-ranging expertise and commitment to community. She was the Chair of ASX-listed uranium company Toro Energy and Diabetes Research WA. She also served as a board member for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in WA, mining services group Emeco Holdings, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Dr Smyth's groundbreaking work did not go unnoticed. She was the inaugural winner of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy's Women in Resources award in 2010. In 2018, her immense service to the mining and energy industries was recognised at the highest level when she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Remembered as a Game-Changer and Mentor
MinEx CRC, where she served as a non-executive director, led the tributes, describing her as a trail-blazer for professional women in Australia. The organisation stated, "Erica shaped conversations, projects and people across the Australian resources landscape."
She is widely remembered not just as a leader, but as a dedicated mentor who used her hard-won position to inspire and guide the next generation. Colleagues and peers have hailed her as a "game-changer" for women in the resources industry, whose legacy will continue to resonate for years to come.
