Awards

For Excellence in Prospecting & Mineral Exploration in BC and/or Yukon

Awarded to those who have made a significant contribution, directly or indirectly, to enhance the mineral resources of British Columbia and/or the Yukon Territory through the original application of prospecting techniques or other geoscience technology.

The Award is open to individuals engaged in any phase of prospecting and mineral exploration in BC and/or Yukon, nominated by an AME member or a member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award, nominees will be assessed on their role in projects that demonstrate strong evidence of:

• A significant contribution and/or advancement to enhance mineral resources in BC and/or Yukon.
• The original application of prospecting techniques, or other geoscience technology, contributing to that advancement.
• The impact of their contributions/advances on the mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Scott Berdahl

Scott Berdahl of Snowline Gold Corp. is the recipient of the 2024 AME H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award for leading the advancement of the Valley deposit in the Selwyn Basin in the Yukon to a significant deposit.

Past Recipients

• Jack Milton and the Fireweed Metals Team
• Maggie Layman
• Theodore (Ted) W. Muraro
• Al Archer
• Mark Baknes
• Ed Balon
• Stu Barclay
• Wade Barnes
• Lawrence Barry
• Peter Bernier
• Peter Bradshaw
• Ron Britten
• Bern Brynelsen
• Ron Burk
• Rob Carne
• Rob Carpenter
• Bob Cathro
• Jared Chipman
• Ted Chisholm
• Eric Denny
• Doug Eaton
• Carl Edmunds
• Robert Etzel
• Craig Finnigan
• Chuck Fipke
• Peter Fox
• Charlie Greig
• Richard Haslinger
• H.H. “Spud” Huestis
• Seymour Iles
• Arthur John
• John Stollery
• Franc Joubin
• Ken Konkin
• Egil Lorntzsen
• Bruce Mawer
• Patrick McAndless
• John McDonald
• Jim McDougall
• Ken McNaughton
• Alan McOnie
• Tom McQuillan
• Gordon Milbourne
• David Moore
• Ursula Mowat
• Peter Ogryzlo
• Myron Osatenko
• Mark Rebagliati
• Andy Robertson
• John Robins
• Chris Rockingham
• Shawn Ryan
• Michael Savell
• Adam Simmons
• Alex Smith
• Tim Smith
• Bill Smitheringale Sr.
• Efrem Specogna
• Karl Springer
• Cam Stephen
• StunBlusson Dirk Tempelman-Kluit
• Alan Wainwright
• Harry Warren
• Lorne Warren
• Bill Wengzynowski
• Peter Fischel

For Perseverance & Success in Financing Mineral Exploration

Awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to advancing the financing of a mineral exploration or development project.

The Award is open to individuals engaged in the financing of any phase of mineral exploration and development, nominated by an AME member or a member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME Murray Pezim Award, nominees will be assessed on:

• Their significant contribution to the mineral exploration and mining community as individual(s) engaged in the financing.
• The impact of these contributions on the mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: The BHP Xplor Team (Charlee Johnson, Sonia Scarselli and Libby Sharman)

The BHP Xplor Team (Charlee Johnson, Sonia Scarselli and Libby Sharman) are recognized with the 2024 AME Murray Pezim Award for their success through the BHP Xplor program for initiating an innovative way to finance and support mineral exploration.

Past Recipients

• The Victoria Gold Finance Team – Sean Harvey, John McConnell, Marty Rendall
• John Robins
• David Harquail
• Richard Barclay
• Mike Beley
• John Brock
• Peter Brown
• Channing Buckland
• David Elliott
• Cal Everett
• Ned Goodman
• Lukas H. Lundin
• Bob Hunter
• Clive Johnson
• Adolf H. Lundin
• John McCluskey
• Ronald Netolitzky
• Mark O’Dea
• Murray Pezim
• Robert A. Quartermain
• Rick Rule
• Terry Salman
• Eric Sprott
• Ian Telfer
• John Tognetti
• Steve Todoruk

For Excellence in Leadership and Innovation in Mineral Exploration Health & Safety

The nominee(s) will have demonstrated one or more of the following: leadership and innovation excellence in exploration safety; improvement in safety performance from year to year; and/or demonstrated efficient and compassionate behavior in dealing with an unfortunate accident.

The Award is open to any company, organization or individual that is involved with the mineral exploration and development industry, nominated by an AME member or a member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME David Barr Award, nominees will be assessed on:

• Leadership and innovation excellence in exploration safety (individual or company).
• Improvement in safety performance from year to year (company).
• Efficient and compassionate behavior in dealing with a tragic incident (individual or company).
• The impact of their contributions on the mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Archer, Cathro and Associates (1981) Limited

Archer, Cathro and Associates (1981) Limited, is recognized with the AME David Barr Award for its leadership in developing a culture of safety in exploration in the Yukon over the past 60 years.

Past Recipients

Individuals

• Ed Beswick
• The Tahltan Emergency Management Committee
• David Barr
• Brennan Dyck (Paycore Drilling)
• Graham Ennis
• Janice Fingler
• Doug Flynn
• Dave Green
• Michael Gunning
• Gordon Maxwell
• Bill Mercer
• Ian Paterson
• Chad Smith (Paycore Drilling)
• Lise Tompson-Cyr
• Harvey Tremblay

Companies

• Galore Creek Mining Corporation
• Boart Longyear
• Diamonds in the Rough Emergency Rescue Organization, Inc.
• Geotech Drilling Services Ltd.
• Imperial Metals Corporation

For Excellence in Global Mineral Exploration

Sponsored by Dentons Canada LLP

Awarded to those who have made a significant contribution, directly or indirectly, to enhance the mineral resources within Canada (exclusive of British Columbia and/or the Yukon Territory) or overseas through the original application of prospecting techniques or other geoscience technology.

The Award is open to individuals engaged in any phase of prospecting and mineral exploration within Canada (exclusive of BC and/or Yukon) or globally, nominated by an AME member or a member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME Colin Spence Award, nominees will be assessed on their role in projects that demonstrate strong evidence of:

• A significant contribution and/or advancement to the enhancement of mineral resources within Canada (exclusive of BC and/or Yukon) or in foreign countries.
• The original application of prospecting techniques, or other geoscience technology, that contribute to the advancement.
• The impact of their contributions/advances on the mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Dr. Thomas Bissig

Dr. Thomas Bissig is recognized as the 2024 AME Colin Spence Award recipient, sponsored by Dentons Canada LLP, for leading the Faraday Copper team’s discovery of significant new near-surface copper (-silver) mineralization at the Copper Creek deposit in Arizona.

Past Recipients

• Craig Parry, Steve Blower, Andy Carmichael, and Justin Rodko
• R. Bob Singh and Chris Taylor
• David Adamson
• Garrett Ainsworth
• Ben Ainsworth
• Callum Baxter
• Ross J. Beaty
• David Broughton
• Terry Bursey
• Charles Forster
• Michael Gunning
• Dr. Tom Henricksen
• Sello Kekana
• Alistair McCreedy
• Crystal McCullough
• Fraser McCorquodale
• Joe Piekenbrock
• Duane Poliquin
• Morgan Poliquin
• Jeff Pontius and the International Tower Hill team
• Mark Rebagliati
• Ian Russell
• Roman Shklanka
• Bob Sibthorpe
• Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
• Matthew Wunder
• Dr. Moira Smith

For Excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility

Sponsored by ERM

Awarded to those who have made significant contributions or advances in the realm of social or environmental responsibility, including contributions that increase equity, diversity and inclusion.

The Award is open to individuals or companies engaged in any aspect of mineral exploration and/or development, who have been nominated by an AME member or member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME Robert R. Hedley Award, nominees will be assessed on their role in projects that demonstrate strong evidence of:

• A significant contribution and/or advancement in social and environmental responsibility, including contributions that increase equity, diversity and inclusion.
• The impact of their contributions and advances on the larger mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Tahltan Nation Development Corporation

Tahltan Nation Development Corporation is the 2024 AME Robert R. Hedley Award recipient for Excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility, sponsored by ERM, and is being recognized for its holistic approach to developing a three-year Heavy Equipment Operator program.

Past Recipients

• Lynda Smithard
• Clement (Clem) Pelletier
• Silvana Costa
• Aboriginal Mentoring & Training Association
• Matt Andrews
• Anne Ball
• Britannia Mine Museum
• Doug Brown
• Robert L. Carpenter
• Jim Cooney
• Susan Craig
• Judi L’Orsa
• Justin Himmelright
• Patrick McAndless
• Harvey McLeod
• Elizabeth Miller
• Monica Moretto
• Brent Murphy
• Teck Resources Limited
• Ian Thomson
• Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
• Chief John French
• Chief Donny Van Somer
• Dennis Izony
• Chris Rockingham

Awarded to those engaged in the development of innovative tools and/ or processes beneficial to prospectors, mineral explorers and/or developers that may lead to the discovery or benefit the development of a project in British Columbia, Canada or globally.

The Award is open to individuals or companies engaged in the development of innovative tools and/or processes, who have been nominated by an AME member or member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME Innovation Award, nominees will be assessed on their role in projects that demonstrate strong evidence of:

• The development of an innovative tool or process.
• The benefit or impact of these tools or processes on the larger mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Mike Ravella

Mike Ravella of Veracio is recognized with the 2024 AME Innovation Award for leading the development of TruScan, a cloud-integrated in-field sample-scanning platform designed to provide immediate access to orebody data.

Past Recipients

• John McGaughey
• VRIFY Product & Development Team
• Gregory Dipple

For Significant Contributions Influencing or Advancing the Mineral Exploration and Development Industry, Concepts or Practices in BC.

Awarded to those who have made significant contributions or advances that have influenced or advanced the mineral exploration and development industry or mineral exploration concepts or practices in British Columbia.

The Award is open to individuals or companies engaged in any aspect of mineral exploration and development, who have been nominated by an AME member or member of an associated exploration and/or mining association.

When being considered for the AME Special Tribute Award, nominees will be assessed on their role in projects that demonstrate strong evidence of:

• Advancement in mineral exploration concepts and/or practices.
• Their level of influence on the advancement of the concepts and/or practices.
• The benefit or impact of these concepts and/or practices on the larger mineral exploration and development industry.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Maurice Colpron

Maurice Colpron of the Yukon Geological Survey is acknowledged with an AME Special Tribute for his leadership in mapping the Rackla belt, and his valued contributions to the understanding of western Canadian and Alaskan Cordilleran tectonics and metallogeny. The mapping project initiated by Maurice in the Rackla belt of central Yukon highlighted parallels in the depositional and structural settings of Rackla belt and the Carlin Gold District in Nevada.

Past Recipients

• Scott Gifford
• Larry Jones
• Ron Bernbaum
• ‘Lyn Anglin
• Michael Beley
• Peter Bradshaw
• Michael Burke
• Dick Campbell
• Nick Carter
• Bob Cathro
• Jeff Franzen
• Hu Gabrielse
• Ian Graham
• Lew Green
• Val Greenwood
• Greater Vancouver Mining Women’s Association (GVMWA)
• Dr. Norman Keevil
• Ward Kilby
• David Lefebure
• El Longeran
• Terry Macauley
• John MacDonald
• Jack McClintock
• Harlan Meade
• Jan Muller
• Doug Oldenburg
• Jack Patterson
• Bill Plumb
• Andy Randell
• John Reesor
• Jim Roddick
• Don Rotherham
• Alastair Sinclair
• Jack Souther
• Colin Spence
• John Thompson
• Ian Thomson
• Howard Tipper
• Dick Tosdal
• John Wheeler
• Geoff Whiton
• Late Julia Lane
• Highway 37 Electrification Coalition

For Distinguished Service to AME

Awarded for distinguished volunteer service to the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia resulting in a profound impact on the success or direction of AME.

The Award is open to any AME member in good standing who has been nominated by an AME member or a member of an associated exploration and/or mining organization.

When being considered for the AME Frank Woodside Gold Pan Award, nominees will be assessed on the following:

• Their distinguished volunteer service to the Association.
• The impact of their service on the success or direction of the Association.
• Alignment with AME’s Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles and Core Values.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipient: Rob McLeod

Rob McLeod, Past Chair of AME, is recognized with the AME Frank Woodside Gold Pan Award for his contributions to the mineral exploration and development community through service to AME. Throughout his two decades of service to AME, Rob has championed diversity and inclusiveness in the industry and shown his dedication to fostering reconciliation and building strong partnerships with First Nations and the communities where mineral explorers work.

Past Recipients

• Gerry Carlson
• Lana Eagle
• Michael Gray
• Brian Abraham
• Jim Allen
• Jerry Asp
• David Barr
• Arne Birkeland
• Robert Boyd
• Don Bragg
• John Brock
• Lena Brommeland
• Bob Brown
• Bruce Brown
• Barbara Caelles
• Alex Christopher
• Don Coates
• Fraser Crocker
• George Cross
• Bogart Cross
• Vivian Danielson
• Chuck Davis
• J. Greg Dawson
• Gerry Delane
• Glen Dickson
• Gavin E. Dirom
• Jeffrey P. Franzen
• Gary Giroux
• Chris Graf
• Diane Gregory
• Greg Hawkins
• Rick Higgs
• Vic Hollister
• Sheila Holmes
• Steve Irwin
• Ed Kimura
• Jurgen Lau
• Maureen Lipkewich
• Grant Luck
• Terry Macauley
• Bill Meyer
• Marilyn Mullan
• John Murray
• John Newell
• Gary Nordin
• Christine Ogryzlo
• Dan Pegg
• Barry Price
• Tom Shroeter
• Alistair Sinclair
• Hans Smit
• Art Soregaroli
• Colin Spence
• Bob Spencer
• Wayne Spilsbury
• Sheila Stenzel
• Cam Stephen
• Ron Stokes
• John Thompson
• Linda Thorstad
• Dean Toye
• Randy Turner
• Geoff Whiton
• Sandford Woodside
• Victoria Yehl
• Randall Yip
• Maurice (Moe) J Young
• Anne J.B Thompson
• Jim Oliver

The AME Outreach Education Fund is a corporate endowment dedicated to increasing the public’s appreciation and understanding of BC’s mineral exploration and development industry through the advancement of public education and community programs.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

2024 Recipients: Britannia Mine Museum and MineralsEd

An annual $20,000 fund will be available for distribution in the form of scholarships (excluding personal scholarships for post-secondary, geology-related education) and monetary funding with a minimum of $1,500 per award for proposed public education and training programs focused on mineral exploration. The amount of funding for each application will be based not only on the merits of the proposed project and funding requests, but also on the number of quality applications in a given year.

Eligibility: This award is open to charitable organizations in BC focused on education and outreach projects relating to mineral exploration and development.

Applicants who have been successful in previous years are welcome to submit new applications. Multiple applications for funding in a given year from one source, if they are of excellent quality and stand-alone projects, will be considered.

*Please note AME Staff, Board, and Committee Members are not eligible to apply. The Vancouver Foundation has the right to deny funding, and all applications will be reviewed in order to meet its criteria.