2024 Bill Dennis Award

This award, named for a former President of the association, honours individuals who have accomplished one or both of the following: made a significant Canadian mineral discovery; made an important contribution to the prospecting and/or exploration industry. 

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John Burzynski and the Osisko Mining Inc. Exploration Team

For the discovery and ongoing expansion of the Windfall deposit’s Lynx gold zone
located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Québec.

Discovered by John Burzynski and the Osisko Mining Inc. Exploration Team, the Windfall deposit stands as one of Quebec's most significant gold finds, both in terms of size and grade. It ranks among the premier discoveries not just in Canada, but globally over the past ten years.

In 2023, Osisko delivered a positive feasibility study on Windfall delivering 12.2Mt grading 8.1 g/t Au for 3.1 Moz Au of probable reserve. The study results outlined a robust project delivering an average of 306,000 oz Au/year of full production. The discovery of the Lynx zones at Windfall has resulted in an outstanding expansion of the previously known deposit in a volcanic belt not typically recognized as host of significant deposits and brought worldwide attention worldwide towards the emerging district.

The Lynx zones were discovered and expanded from 2016 through 2022. During that period Osisko executed an ambitious drilling campaign, ranked among the world’s largest, with up to 35 rigs operating concurrently on the site. This extensive effort, encompassing 1.8 million meters of drilling, marked a significant financial commitment to the district. Windfall's magnitude and ore grade have consistently grown since the discovery of Lynx in 2016, a testament to the success of their drilling initiative.

Remarkably, their program featured Canada's longest diamond drill hole, stretching beyond 3,400 meters. Preliminary data shows the deposit could extend beyond a depth of 2,800 meters. Combined with recent exploratory results in adjacent areas, there is compelling evidence pointing to a more expansive deposit. This underscores Windfall's potential to cement its place among Canada's elite long-life, high-grade gold deposits.

On May 2, 2023, Osisko announced a 50/50 Joint Venture on the Windfall Gold Project with Gold Fields for cash payment totaling more than C$600M. Combined with work and capex commitments, this represents an investment of C$1.2B at Windfall, fully funding Osisko to mine production and validating the quality and robustness of the deposit.


 

View each PDAC 2024 Award Recipient

 

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Skookum Jim Award

Wabun Tribal Council

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Thayer Lindsley Award

The Lundin Group Vicuña Exploration Team

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Viola R. MacMillan Award

John McConnell and the Victoria Gold Corporation Team