Professor Groves is a world authority on the origin of mineral deposits. In Western Australia, his work on the evolution of Archaean granite-greenstone belts has led to fundamental advances in understanding their tectonic evolution and their metallogeny, providing a global framework in which to place ancient mineral deposits. In addition, he has developed original models for the genesis of tin deposits, nickel sulphide deposits, and orogenic gold deposits, and new methodologies for their exploration. His work has been recognised internationally by the award of medals by learned societies in Australia, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA.