Probe, Noront recognized by mining association

Dr. David Palmer, president and CEO of Probe Mines, and Noront Resources are among those being recognized by the Prospectors andDevelopers Association of Canada (PDAC) for their work in mineral exploration.

PDAC doles out the awards annually to showcase the achievements of companies, individuals and groups in the mineral exploration and mining sector.

Probe Mines’ Borden Gold discovery, which was made in 2010, is located in a deposit not known for hosting gold, and is considered a promising find. The Ontario Prospector’s Association recognized Probe for the discovery with the 2013 Ontario Prospector Award in November 2013.

In a news release, Palmer shared credit for the discovery with his team, calling the award “an incredible honour.”

“As discoveries become scarcer, Borden exemplifies the importance of grassroots exploration and the potential that still exists within Canada to find high-quality and relevant deposits,” he said.

Noront Resources Ltd., which has the largest land position in the Ring of Fire, will receive the Environmental and Social Responsibility Award for its commitment to social initiatives in Northern Ontario. PDAC cited Noront’s community engagement program — which includes education, skills training, youth programming an economic development for Aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario — as a highlight of the company’s contributions.

Noront additionally partnered with Matawa’s Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services and Confederation College in Thunder Bay to create the Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance, and is engaged in other programs aimed at overcoming barriers to higher education among Aboriginal communities.

Other award recipients include Matt Manson, CEO of Stornoway Diamond Corp., who will receive the Viola R. MacMillan Award for company mine development; the Ivanhoe Mines Kamoa discovery team, which will receive the Thayer Lindsley award for the discovery of the Kamoa Copper deposit in Congo; Bill Pearson, who will receive the Distinguished Service Award; and Sam Bosum, who will receive the Skookum Jim Award for Aboriginal achievement in the mineral industry.

The awards will be presented on March 2 in Toronto during the 2015 PDAC convention.