Director Spotlight: Paul Smith – Driving Growth, Governance, and Global Mining Strategy
With over three decades of experience spanning geology, metallurgy, finance, and executive leadership, Paul Smith has established himself as a board director who brings together deep technical expertise, financial acumen, and proven leadership in billion-dollar mining projects. His career has been forged in some of the most complex environments in global mining, giving him a distinctive voice at the board table.
From BHP Foundations to Global Finance
Paul began his career with BHP (then Gencor) in South Africa, moving through diverse line management roles across manganese, chrome, coal, gold, and silicon metals. By the time he became Plant Manager for Silicon Metals, he had gained an intimate understanding of mining operations across commodities and cultures.
Notably, while at BHP, he completed two finance degrees in addition to his technical responsibilities, developing a rare dual capability that would define his trajectory.
“Too often, boards are either strong on finance or strong on technicals. Very few individuals can bridge both worlds with genuine depth.”
This unique blend of operational and financial literacy led him into investment banking, where he spent eight years financing and advising mining companies worldwide. It provided him with a global perspective on capital markets and the forces shaping mining investments.
Executive Leadership and Billion-Dollar Projects
Paul transitioned back into the mining sector in senior leadership roles, culminating in his position as COO of Wesizwe Platinum, where he oversaw the development of the US$1.5 billion Bakubung Platinum Mine in South Africa.
There, he managed a large owner’s team and EPCM contractors, balancing the complexities of technical feasibility, financing, execution, and governance.
“It’s not just about raising the money — the feasibility study must be right, the team must be right, and the board must have the skillset to provide the right support.”
His leadership during this time reinforced his conviction in the importance of alignment among management, the board, and stakeholders when undertaking large-scale projects.
Lessons from Leading Across Borders
Having worked extensively in Africa, Eurasia, Canada, and Australia, Paul has seen firsthand the challenges of leading across borders. His approach emphasises cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
“You can lead anywhere in the world, but it’s how you lead that matters. Trying to impose outside practices is a recipe for disaster.”
Whether negotiating agreements with governments, guiding multi-jurisdictional operations, or managing culturally diverse teams, Paul has always championed respect and adaptability as cornerstones of effective leadership.
Governance, Risk, and Boardroom Integrity
Paul’s governance philosophy is shaped by decades of navigating high-stakes decisions. He cautions against “governance for governance’s sake,” instead viewing governance as a living framework that must drive performance and accountability.
“The board’s job is to provide insight, oversight, and foresight — not bureaucracy. Governance must enable success, not smother it.”
Similarly, his approach to risk management is pragmatic. Identifying risks is not enough; what matters is the speed and decisiveness with which an organisation acts to mitigate them.
M&A, Timing, and Transformational Growth
Throughout his career, Paul has been closely involved in mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. He highlights the courage required to buy assets at the bottom of the cycle, as well as the vision needed to diversify into strategically aligned commodities.
“Transformational growth rarely comes from incremental steps. It comes from the bold moves — the deals that reshape a company’s trajectory.”
His experience in financing and advising mining ventures worldwide has given him a sharp eye for timing and a clear sense of how to unlock value for investors and stakeholders.
Shaping the Future: Australia as a Global Mining Hub
Looking ahead, Paul sees Australia as the emerging global centre for mining and mining services. Its competitive cost structure, world-class skills base, and strong regulatory frameworks position it at the forefront of global mining innovation.
Yet he also points to the growing importance of ESG expectations. For Paul, these must be genuine, not superficial.
“ESG can’t be a box-ticking exercise. It has to be embedded into the culture, supported by global standards, and executed by teams who genuinely understand it.”
Adding Value at the Board Table
Paul’s value proposition as a board director lies in his ability to bridge operational expertise and financial strategy. He has:
- Deep technical experience across most major commodities
- Extensive financial and capital markets expertise from his investment banking career
- Leadership experience in billion-dollar mine development projects
- A proven record of advising governments, including Botswana’s cabinet and stability agreements in Malawi
- A global perspective shaped by decades across multiple mining jurisdictions
What Drives Him
Even after more than 30 years, Paul’s passion for mining remains undiminished.
“It’s the people, the projects, and the chance to make a lasting difference that keep me passionate. Mining done right transforms communities and economies.”
His motivation today is to apply his breadth of knowledge and global networks to help boards navigate a fast-changing industry and deliver long-term growth.
👉 Paul Smith is actively seeking new non-executive director opportunities globally. His expertise across technical, financial, governance, and international domains makes him a highly valuable candidate for boards shaping the future of the mining and resources sector.
