The 2nd Annual NWT Mining and Exploration (MAX) Awards has received high praise from the GNWT. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann congratulated the recipients of the awards as well as thanking them for their contribution to the Territories.

“It was a pleasure to celebrate a selection of this talent last night. I offer my congratulations to all of the winners and thank the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines for hosting the event. It was a fitting way to end the 46th Annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum.” Schumann said in a press release.

When talking about the importance of Indigenous participation, Schumann said that the people at the heart of this industry are innovators.

“They have built our mining sector into leaders in Indigenous participation, socio-economic management, and operational practices.”

Schumann maintains that responsible resource development is at the core of who we are as a territory.

“It drives our economy, generates billions in opportunity for local businesses, and provides thousands of residents good middle-class jobs. To address the very real challenges we have in our economy, we need to encourage and support even more excellence in responsible resource development across our territory.”

He conveys that the GNWT know they have a role to play. They’re going to continue to incentivize exploration to help find the NWT’s next mine and keep the NWT competitive.

“We want to bring certainty to our investment landscape with solid legislation, and continue to tell the NWT’s unique story that includes Indigenous participation and socio-economic innovation to a global market increasingly looking for ethical investments. Together, with new generations of talent like those recognized Thursday evening, we’ll unlock the potential of the Northwest Territories, and build a strong economy for our future.”

For more information on the awards ceremony and the award winners, click here.

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Six winners were recognized at the NWT’s’ 2nd annual MAX Mining and Exploration Awards on Thursday night. The ceremony which was held at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife caps off the Geoscience Forum industry gathering which has been held in Yellowknife this week.

Gren Thomas who arrived in Yellowknife over 50 years ago, won the Distinguished Service Award. Thomas who has explored for mineral deposits in the NWT and Nunavut for most of his life has seen his efforts result in new and significant mineral discoveries, including the Diavik mine and the Nechalacho project.

De Beers Canada, who have contributed over $2.1 billion to the NWT economy won the Economic Leadership Award. Since 2005 they have spent $3.5 billion with Indigenous and NWT businesses through the Gahcho Kué mine located 280km northeast of Yellowknife. Over the life of the mine, De Beers Canada expects to contribute a further $5.3 billion to the NWT economy.

Ni Hadi Xa which is a cooperative of five Indigenous parties (Deninu Kue First Nation, Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, North Slave Métis Alliance, Northwest Territory Métis Nation and Tłı̨chǫ Government) and De Beers Canada won the Environmental & Social Responsibility Award. They focus on observing the Gahcho Kué diamond mine's activities and their on-the-land program supports Indigenous people to travel to, and observe the region around the mine while practising traditional activities.

Cece Hodgson-McCauley, the first woman chief in the Northwest Territories and a tireless ‘woman warrior’ was posthumously given the Indigenous Achievement Award. She heavily advocated for the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway as she knew it would open the North and lower living costs in Mackenzie Valley communities. For her people, she led the charge towards the goal of improvement and economic development for northern communities.

The Diavik Diamond Mine shared the Special Achievement Award for its dike design, construction and operations. Diavik’s three rockfill dikes have allowed access to valuable resources that have generated significant income for the North and its people.

Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Ice Road was the other recipient of the Special Achievement Award. Without the road's unique technology, the gold and diamond mines hundreds of kilometres north of Yellowknife would not be possible.

The awards are a partnership between the Chamber of Mines and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and take place every November.

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