Hooke was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for “significant services to business, particularly to the mining and minerals sector, to policy development, research and trade, and to the indigenous community”.

In August, Hooke joined the board of copper hopeful Rex Minerals, which acknowledged the honour.

“There are not a lot of people who can be described as larger than life, but Mitch Hooke is one of them,” Rex chairman David Carland said.

“Mitch’s contribution over many years to industry, specifically to the mining and agricultural sectors in Australia and globally, has been outstanding.

“His unwavering focus on public policy and its advocacy has been of profound benefit to the industries and people Mitch has represented, and more directly to the Australian economy.”

Former Xstrata North Queensland copper chief operating officer Steve De Kruiff was also awarded an AM. A former Queensland Resources Council president, he most recently chaired the Queensland government’s ResourcesQ partnership group.

Bauxite and alumina executive Ronald Fritschy, as well as Northern Territory mapping and titles specialist Sandra Johnson were also recognised for services to mining.

Sydney’s Anthony Grey received the award for his “significant service to the community as a supporter of medical research and the arts, and to the mining industry”.

Geologist Bradford Huston John received a Public Service Medal for his contribution to the development of Queensland’s resources.