MNN Awards
The annual MNN Awards recognise the Australian mining sector’s standout performers for the previous financial year. The 2023 MNN Awards will focus on FY23 across four categories: Deal of the Year, Explorer of the Year, CEO of the Year and Emerging Leader of the Year.
Nominations are submitted by the industry which allows the MNN team to come up with a shortlist of finalists. A panel of industry experts then decide on the winners. Trophies will be presented to the winners at the inaugural MiningNews Select event on 18 September at Pan Pacific Perth.
The awards will recognise outstanding companies and individuals across the following categories:
Awards Categories
CEO OF THE YEAR
The CEO of the Year Award recognises standout value creation and strong company and industry leadership in the 2023 financial year.
Nominees are..
Luca Giacovazzi, Wyloo Metals
Chris Gale, Latin Resources
Dale Henderson, Pilbara Minerals
Darren Stralow, Bellevue Gold
Dean Tuck, Dreadnought Resources
WINNER: Darren Strallow, Bellevue Gold
Explorer of the year
The Explorer of the Year Award will recognise a company and its leadership team for a significant new discovery made, or advanced to a meaningful status, during the 2023 financial year.
Nominees are:
WA1 Resources for the Luni niobium discovery in Western Australia
Azure Minerals for the Andover lithium discovery in Western Australia
Rumble Resources for the Earaheedy maiden zinc resource in Western Australia
Dreadnought Resources for the Yin rare earths discovery in Western Australia
Patriot Battery Metals for the Corvette lithium discovery in Quebec
Great Boulder Resources for the Side Well maiden gold resource in Western Australia
Gascoyne Resources for the Never Never gold discovery in Western Australia
WINNER: Azure Minerals, for the discovery of the Andover Lithium Deposit
DEAL OF THE YEAR
The Deal of the Year Award is a corporate development award recognising successful execution of a strategy, and/or realisation of value, from a significant transaction during the 2023 financial year.
Nominees are..
Genesis Minerals for the acquisition of the Leonora gold operations
Wyloo Metals for the takeover of Mincor Resources
Ramelius Resources for the takeover of Breaker Resources
Catalyst Metals for its consolidation of the Marymia gold belt
WINNER: Genesis Minerals, for consolidation of Leonora Gold District
EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR
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The Emerging Leader of the Year Award will go to a first-time CEO with less than three years in a role who has demonstrated strong potential to be a future industry leader.
Nominees are..
Alex Rovira, Brightstar Resources
James Champion de Crespigny, Catalyst Metals
Rowena Smith, Australian Strategic Materials
Luke Creagh, Ora Banda Mining
Graham Arvidson, Australian Vanadium
WINNER: James Champion de Crespigny, Catalyst Metals
2023 Judges:
Cian Caffrey
Cian is a Perth-based executive director of RFC Ambrian. He has been involved in M&A, IPOs and strategic reviews and has also contributed to a number of RFC Ambrian’s in-depth research and sectoral analysis publications.
Hedley Widdup
Hedley is a geologist and investment manager of Lion Selection Group. He is also one of the best-regarded mining commentators in Australia and a regular speaker on the conference circuit.
Rebecca Prain
Rebecca is a geologist and managing director of Cube Consulting, as well as a non-executive director of Silver Lake Resources.
Allan Trench
MNN’s long-time Strictly Boardroom columnist, Allan is also MBA Director and Professor at the UWA Business School, a non-executive director of several ASX-listed minerals companies – and the Perth representative for CRU Consulting, a division of independent metals and mining advisory CRU Group.
Liam Twigger
A deputy chairman of Argonaut, Liam has extensive experience in providing strategic corporate advice and in the execution of M&A. He is also the chairman of LSE/TSX-listed SolGold and ASX-listed Lunnon Metals.
John Sykes
John is undertaking a multidisciplinary doctorate at the Centre for Exploration Targeting, UWA and a sessional lecturer on the MBA program at UWA Business School. He is also a strategist for MinEx Consulting and a director of Greenfields Research, as a well as one half of MNN’s weekly Strictly Boardroom column.
Kristie Batten
Kristie has been with MNN for 15 years, including the past 11 years as editor.