Press Releases

The latest news and information from PDAC, and Canada's mineral exploration and mining industry.


December 10, 2019: PDAC 2020 Awards Honour Industry Leaders

The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is excited to announce that six top international and domestic performers have been selected in recognition of their excellence.

Now in its 42nd year, the annual PDAC Awards showcase exceptional leaders in the mineral exploration and mining industry. Recipients will be celebrated at an Awards Gala & After Party at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Tuesday, March 3 during the PDAC 2020 Convention.

Congratulations to PDAC 2020 Award Recipients for their outstanding accomplishments.

  • Bill Dennis Award: Rudolf (Rudy) Wahl

    For his enduring perseverance as a prospector and the discovery of several precious metal, diamond and rare earth occurrences in northwestern Ontario.

  • Distinguished Service Award: Lynda Bloom

    For her leadership in the junior mining sector, her thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to PDAC, and her exploration geochemistry expertise.

  • Skookum Jim Award: Hans Matthews

    For his contribution to Canada’s mineral exploration and mining sector by building bridges between Indigenous communities and the industry through the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA).

  • Sustainability Award (formerly Environmental & Social Responsibility): Agnico Eagle Mines Limited’s Nunavut Community Relations, Education & People Development Team

    For developing a strong Inuit workforce and supporting the Kivalliq region of Nunavut with training, education and community-led projects that benefit everyone.

  • Thayer Lindsley Award: Firuz Alizade and the Lidya-Hod Maden Exploration Team

    For the 2015 discovery of the Hod Maden gold-copper deposit in eastern Turkey.

  • Viola R. MacMillan Award: Touquoy/Moose River Mine Development Team – Wally Bucknell, Steven Dean, Ronald Hawkes, Bruce Hudgins, John Wightman 
    For developing the Touquoy open pit mine and consolidating other gold deposits near Moose River in Nova Scotia after the gold potential of the area had been unrecognized for decades.

PDAC’s Board of Directors select recipients based on the recommendations of the association’s Awards Committee. More information about the 2020 Award Recipients is available on our website.