The Latest Mining News On The Web

AME BC Announces 2009 Award Winners

NEWS RELEASE AME BC Announces 2009 Award Winners Industry Leaders to be Recognized at Mineral Exploration Roundup Awards Dinner Vancouver, B.C. – November 23, 2009 – The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2009 Awards, presented annually to individuals or teams of individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to enhance the mineral exploration industry in British Columbia. “The mineral exploration sector is a major contributor to B.C.’s economy. Today, it is our pleasure to congratulate the leaders who make our industry possible, not just here, but around the world,” said Gavin C. Dirom, AME BC’s president and chief executive officer. “Our award winners have used their diverse skills and talents to provide a great contribution to our sector and society as a whole,” said Robert Stevens, AME BC’s chairman. The Awards are named in honour of six eminent persons who were recognized for their distinguished service and contributions to the mining industry and their long-time and loyal support of AME BC. The Awards are presented each year at Mineral Exploration Roundup. The Annual Awards Dinner gala will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. This year’s winners are: Shawn Ryan: awarded the H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award, for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration. Mr. Ryan, a self-taught Yukon prospector, is recognized for combining his ability to apply modern mineral exploration methods and techniques with “old-fashioned boot and hammer slogging” to make mineral discoveries. His most recent and most significant discovery is the highly promising White Gold property near Dawson City, Yukon. Stephen Quin and Bruce McLeod: awarded the E.A. Scholz Award, for excellence in mine development. Mr. Quin and Mr. McLeod, the Sherwood Team, are acknowledged for their leadership in advancing the Minto copper-gold-silver mine in the Yukon to production. Through highly progressive and cooperative relationships with government agencies, First Nations, and local communities, their efforts have led to significant socio-economic benefits to the Yukon and its people. Channing Buckland: awarded the Murray Pezim Award, for perseverance and success in financing mineral exploration. His technical background as a geological engineer together with field experience and financial savvy gave him a unique footing for early stage exploration financing. Over 45 years, he has been instrumental in arranging hundreds of financings for projects, which ultimately led to the successful development of the Faro Mine in the Yukon, Hemlo gold projects in Ontario, and the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories. Barbara Scott Smith: awarded the Hugo Dummett Diamond Award, for excellence in diamond exploration and development. Dr. Smith is recognized for her work in kimberlite science and diamond geology as a consultant, educator, and mentor. In addition to her work in 25 countries, she developed the only school of petrology dedicated to the development and training of geologists and industry professionals involved in diamond exploration, evaluation, and mining. Mark Rebagliati: awarded the Colin Spence Award, for global exploration excellence. Mr. Rebagliati is acknowledged for his ability to evaluate and coordinate exploration programs that led to new mineral discoveries and define major extensions to existing projects. Mr. Rebagliati and various exploration teams at Hunter Dickinson extended and delineated the world-class Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Alaska. They defined the Xietongmen and discovered the Newtongmen copper-gold deposits in Tibet, and discovered several deposits in the Campo Morado district in Mexico. Judi L’Orsa: awarded the Robert R. Hedley Award, for excellence in social and environmental responsibility. Ms. L’Orsa’s passion and efforts have been instrumental to the success of the Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining programs for training local aboriginal people for employment in mineral exploration and mining in northwestern British Columbia. The AME BC Awards Committee will also recognize the 2009 beneficiaries of the AME BC Outreach Education Fund at Roundup. The Fund is an endowment dedicated to increasing British Columbians’ public appreciation and understanding of the mineral exploration sector. The 2009 recipients are the Mineral Resources Education Program of B.C. for classroom minerals education and the Exploration Place at the Fraser-Fort George Regional Museum for student participation at the Minerals North 2010 conference in Prince George, B.C. For more details about the awards, visit About AME BC: AME BC is the predominant voice of mineral exploration in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME BC represents thousands of members including geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, exploration companies, suppliers, mineral producers, and associations who are engaged in mineral exploration in BC and throughout the world. Through leadership, advocacy, and partnerships, AME BC promotes a healthy environment and business climate for the mineral exploration industry. About Mineral Exploration Roundup: Mineral Exploration Roundup is the world’s premier annual technical mineral exploration conference, and will be held from January 18 to 21, 2010, at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. The conference program includes high-profile international speakers on exploration activities, deposit geology, corporate social responsibility, Aboriginal and community relations, financing trends, and the outlook for 2010 and beyond. Roundup registration and tickets for the Awards Dinner are available at . For further information or Mineral Exploration Roundup 2010 media accreditation, please contact Jonathan Buchanan, Manager, Communications, AME BC, at 604.630.3923 or jbuchanan@amebc.ca.