2025 Viola R. MacMillan Award

For lifetime leadership and significant contributions to the mining and exploration industry.

John Robins was selected for the 2025 Viola R. MacMillan Award for his lifetime leadership and significant contributions to the mining and exploration industry. Over his 35-year career, John has been instrumental in multiple mineral discoveries and the creation of highly successful companies, including Kaminak Gold, Northern Empire, and Stornoway Diamond. His work has driven over $3 billion in mergers and acquisitions, alongside more than $1 billion in mineral exploration expenditures across various regions, such as Canada, Latin America, and Australia.

A highly respected entrepreneur and geologist, John has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to identify opportunities, assemble expert teams, and attract the necessary capital to advance exploration projects. His notable successes include the sales of Great Bear Resources to Kinross for $1.8 billion, Kaminak Gold to Goldcorp for over $500 million, and Great Bear Royalties Corp. to Royal Gold Inc. for $200 million. 

John’s efforts have had a lasting impact on the industry through the Discovery Group, an alliance of companies that he founded and continues to lead.

The group has been pivotal in advancing numerous mineral exploration projects globally, covering a range of commodities, from gold to diamonds and uranium. His strong leadership, ethical practice, and commitment to fostering innovation have earned him recognition as one of the most influential figures in the junior mining sector, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.