PDAC Awards

Bill Dennis Award

For a Canadian discovery or prospecting success

Named in honour of a former PDAC president, the Bill Dennis Award is presented to an individual or team of explorationists who has accomplished one or both of the following:

• Made a significant mineral discovery in Canada with potential economic viability;
• Made an important contribution to the Canadian prospecting and/or exploration industry.

Distinguished Service Award

For outstanding contributions to the mineral industry and/or to PDAC.

Presented at the PDAC Board of Directors discretion, this award recognizes a PDAC member in good standing who has achieved one or more of the following:

• Made a substantial contribution to mineral exploration and mining development over a number of years;
• Given considerable time and effort to the PDAC;
• Made outstanding contributions to the mineral industry in the field of finance, geology, geophysics, geochemistry research, or a related activity.

Skookum Jim Award

For Indigenous achievement in the mineral industry

This award is named after Skookum Jim, the Indigenous leader of the group that discovered the Yukon Klondike goldfields, one of Canada’s most important mineral discoveries. Recipients of this award must be from a recognized Indigenous group in Canada (Metis, Inuit, First Nation) and have demonstrated exceptional achievement and/or service in an Indigenous business organization operating in the Canadian mining industry and/or a Canadian Indigenous exploration or mining company or have made a significant individual contribution to the mining industry. 

Sustainability Award 

For outstanding leadership in environmental protection and/or good community relations.

This award honours an individual or organization demonstrating outstanding initiative, leadership, and accomplishment in protecting and preserving the natural environment during an exploration program, development or operation of a mine. The Sustainability Award also recognizes efforts to establish and maintain good relations with local communities.

Thayer Lindsley Award

For an international mineral discovery

Open to individuals and teams of any nationality, this award honours the memory of Thayer Lindsley, one of the greatest mine finders of all time. The award is presented to an individual or team of explorationists credited with a recent mineral discovery with potential economic viability anywhere in the world.

Viola R. MacMillan Award

For company or mine development

In honour of Viola MacMillan, the longest serving PDAC president, this award is given to  an individual or company demonstrating strong leadership in management and finance for the exploration and development of mineral resources. Recipients of this award will have accomplished one or more of the following:

• Made a significant contribution to the financial side of the industry;
• Recognized leader in raising funds for a particular area, development or project;
• Used new or innovative financing methods.