The WA Mining Club also expressed “deep sadness”, echoed by WA’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy, which said Mr Sayers was a regular “fixture of the Goldfields mining scene for decades” and his pathway from apprentice mechanic to Ausdrill “shows what is possible” in the state’s mining sector. His wife Lyn and his family meant the world to him.”ĭevelop Global managing director Bill Beament, who worked at Barminco earlier in his career, wrote on LinkedIn that Mr Sayers “revolutionised the drilling industry” and the industry had lost an “absolute legend”.

“Beyond Ron’s very successful life in business, he had a love for horse racing and having a good time, but most importantly for his family. “Everyone across Ausdrill will remember him for his colourful stories and never being too busy to stop and have a chat, and of course, the world’s best potato peeler! “Ron was a remarkable character in the mining industry with unwavering focus turning Ausdrill into a global contract mining provider, hailing from Kalgoorlie,” Ausdrill said.

Perenti in February reported almost $1.2 billion in revenue for the first half and $35 million in profit.

It followed a short battle with stomach cancer, ending a remarkable career that began when he launched Ausdrill in 1987 with one rig and turned it into one of Australia’s biggest mining services businesses. In a LinkedIn post on Monday night, Ausdrill – now part of Perenti after an overhaul of the group following the acquisition of underground hard rock contractor Barminco in 2018 – said Mr Sayers had died earlier that morning.Īusdrill managing director Ron Sayers in 2008. Ausdrill founder and mining services industry titan Ron Sayers has died aged 70, sparking a wave of tributes from across the sector.

Ron titan