PDAC Awards Nomination Guide and Form
PDAC Awards: Nomination Guide
Each year, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) honours outstanding people, teams and organizations whose work advances mineral exploration and mining. Awards are presented at the PDAC Convention in Toronto.
The nomination deadline for the 2027 PDAC Awards is July 31 at 5 p.m. ET.
Who can nominate and how to submit:
- Who can nominate: Individuals, companies, associations, governments and other organizations. Self-nominations are permitted.
- How to submit: Use PDAC’s online nomination form during the annual nomination period (February-July)
- One package per nominee per award category.
Each nomination package must include:
- Nomination letter – maximum three pages
- Letters of support – minimum three, maximum of eight
- Optional supporting documents – maximum five pages
- Nomination letter
The nomination letter is the core of the package. It should:
- Provide a concise overview of the achievements and impact that make the nominee deserving of the award, linked to the published criteria.
- Highlight key accomplishments and any notable outcomes (for example discoveries, economic benefits, community partnerships, sustainability results).
- Short, focused letters are strongly encouraged.
- Letters of support
- Minimum: three letters of support coming from a range of perspectives (for example, industry peers, Indigenous partners, community leaders, technical experts, investors, regulators).
- Length: 1-2 pages each
Letters should:
- Speak directly to the relevant award criteria and to specific, verifiable outcomes.
- State the writer’s affiliation and relationship to the nominee.
- Optional supporting documents
Provide only material that clearly supports the case:
- Examples: summary technical figures or tables, maps, project summaries, ESG or community outcome highlights.
- For the Bill Dennis Award and Thayer Lindsley Award, examples of useful discovery/project documentation may include:
- Resource or reserve estimates
- Key drill sections or maps showing the discovery context
- Simple timelines showing major technical milestones and project advancement
- Do not include proprietary or confidential information that cannot be publicly disclosed; where necessary, use summaries or relative figures instead of detailed data.
- Use these documents to illustrate the achievements described in the nomination letter, not to repeat already clear written explanations.
Quick checklist before you submit:
- Online nomination form completed
- One nomination letter that:
- Identifies the award category
- Summarizes why the nominee stands out
- At least three letters of support attached
- Any additional documents are relevant and selective, not bulk material
- All information has been fact-checked (names, dates, metrics, references)
PDAC Awards Categories
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.
Emerging Leaders Award
For outstanding achievement by a young professional in mineral exploration and development.
This award celebrates individuals who are helping shape the future of the sector through professional excellence, innovation, collaboration and a commitment to responsible mineral development. Recipients of this award will have demonstrated one or more of the following:
- Significant professional or technical contributions within their field;
- Innovation or creative approaches that have positively influenced projects, organizations or the broader industry;
- Leadership, teamwork or mentorship that supports the development of others;
- Meaningful contributions to safety, environmental stewardship, community engagement or social responsibility;
- Active involvement in PDAC, professional associations, or industry and community initiatives.
To be eligible, nominees must:
- Be 40 years of age or younger as of Dec. 31 of the nomination year;
- Have three to five years of experience in the mineral exploration and development industry;
- Be a PDAC member;
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or have made significant contributions to the Canadian mineral industry;
- Be currently employed or actively engaged in the mineral exploration and development industry (e.g., geoscience, engineering, environmental, finance or community relations roles);
- Be registered with a relevant professional organization, where applicable.
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);
- 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.