The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) is the peak industry body representing companies with interests in minerals, energy, oil and gas and extractive sectors. SACOME is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation focused on promoting, representing and connecting participants in the South Australia's resources sector. The organisation publishes a regular periodical called the SA Mines and Energy journal and has been the subject of several feature articles in prominent resources sector magazine, Australia's Paydirt.
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Dirt TV awards
In 2014, SACOME launched Dirt TV, a competition to encourage school students in years 7 to 12 to produce short videos creatively promoting the resources sector. The inaugural award was won by high school students James Haskard and Daniel Blake of Concordia College. 14 entries were received and resource company sponsors provided a total prize pool of $10,000.
Port Bonython
SACOME believes that the growth of iron ore mining in South Australia has been limited by the state's lack of bulk commodities port infrastructure. In 2011, SACOME's CEO Jason Kuchel publicly supported the chosen location for a future 3 km iron ore export wharf at Port Bonython, northeast of Whyalla in South Australia's upper Spencer Gulf region. The location is controversial due to its close proximity to breeding reef for the Northern Spencer Gulf population of giant Australian cuttlefish. The proposed port's potential environmental impact has been challenged by community groups including Save Point Lowly and the Alternative Port Working Party.
Nuclear power
SACOME supports the future development of nuclear power in South Australia. Among its members are several companies actively involved in uranium mining and exploration. These include BHP Billiton, Areva Resources Australia, Heathgate Resources and Uranium SA. SACOME's Chief Executive Jason Kuchel believes that small modular nuclear reactors could potentially provide energy to remote resources projects, including at mine sites. Kuchel's advocacy has been acknowledged by Australian Mining magazine as having influenced the establishment of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission in 2016.
Council
SACOME is governed by an elected council. As of January 2015, members include: