Roche, who joined the QRC as in July 2005 after a distinguished career in the government and private sectors, said now was the right time to move to the next stage of his career.

“It has been a great honour to be able serve the great Queensland resources sector over such an extended period at the helm of its peak body,” he said.

“The sector comprises wonderful people and hundreds of great businesses – large, medium and small - which deliver so much employment and wealth for our state,” Roche said.

“The QRC is a great organisation with a very talented team that continues to deliver excellent service to the resources sector through some truly challenging times in recent years.”

QRC president Stewart Butel paid tribute to Roche’s contribution over the past 11 years.

“Michael’s skills and commitment as an advocate for the Queensland resources sector and as a leader of a great Queensland organisation are second to none,” Butel said.

“Michael is leaving big shoes to fill.”

Butel said it was very much business as usual at the QRC, with Roche committed to staying on to provide a suitable handover to a new chief executive, most likely in November 2016.

A recruitment process for Roche’s successor is now underway, with international executive search firm Egon Zehnder having been retained by the QRC board.