Sir James Foots has had a long and distinguished career as one of the leaders of the Australian mining industry. He graduated in Mining Engineering from the University of Melbourne in 1937 and followed his profession in Captain's Flat, Darwin and Broken Hill before becoming General Manager of Mount Isa Mines Limited.

As General Manager of Mount Isa Mines Ltd and then Chief Executive and Chairman of MIM Holdings Ltd, spanning over three decades from 1955, he steered the MIM Group through major expansion in metal production and into a period of major product and geographic diversification.

Sir James' association with the University of Queensland is equally long-standing. He was appointed to the Senate of the University in 1970. He was the Inaugural Chairman of the University of Queensland Foundation from 1982-1985. He served as Chancellor for the period 1985-1992. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre in 1970 when MIM Holdings Ltd provided the funding to establish the Centre.

Sir James has received many awards in recognition of his work in the minerals industry. These include the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Medal (AusIMM) in 1972, and the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (UK) Gold Medal in 1987. He was knighted in recognition of his services to the Mining industry in 1975.

The Foots Education Program provides tangible recognition by the University of Sir James' contributions over many years.

Sir James Foots Scholarships