AME Announces 2016 Award Recipients

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - December 07, 2016) - The Association for Mineral Exploration ("AME") is pleased to announce its 2016 award recipients. AME will salute its leaders at the AME Awards Celebration of Excellence Gala on January 25 during the AME Roundup 2017 conference. Tickets are available through registration at www.amebc.ca/roundup.

"It is our honor to recognize with these awards those in our industry who through their leadership, resilience and innovation have contributed at the highest standards of excellence in exploration and mineral development," says Diane Nicolson, Chair of the Board of Directors of AME. "What they have attained is an inspiration to all and we look forward to celebrating their achievements with you at the Awards Gala at AME Roundup."

This year's award winners are:

Chris Rockingham, Carl Edmunds and Wade Barnes, recognized with the H.H. "Spud" Huestis Award for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration for their discovery and resource definition of AuRico Metals Inc.'s Kemess East deposit in British Columbia.

Don Parsons and Steve Robertson, recipients of the E.A. Scholz Award for excellence in mine development in British Columbia and Yukon. They are honoured for their pivotal role in advancing Imperial Metals Corporation's Red Chris copper-gold project in British Columbia from development to commercial production.

Terry Salman, recipient of the 2016 Murray Pezim Award recognizing perseverance and success in financing mining exploration. Terry has been a leader in junior company exploration financing for the past 40 years through his career at Nesbitt Thomson, Salman Partners and Salman Capital Inc.

William Lamb and Lukas Lundin, recognized with the Hugo Dummett Diamond Award for excellence in diamond exploration and development in recognition of their roles in developing Lucara Diamond Corporation's Karowe Mine in Botswana.

Dr. David Broughton and Sello Kekana, recipients of the Colin Spence Award for excellence in global mineral exploration. They are recognized for their work that led to the discovery of the Tier One Flatreef underground deposit at Ivanhoe Mines' Platreef platinum group metals-nickel-copper-gold project in the heart of South Africa's Bushveld Complex.

Jim Cooney, recipient of the Robert R. Hedley Award for excellence in social and environmental responsibility as a leader and mentor who has led and shaped the integration of environmental and social values into the mining industry.

The late Graham Ennis, honoured with the David Barr Award for excellence in leadership and innovation in mineral exploration health and safety for passion and dedication to the well-being and safety of employees in the diamond drilling industry.

JoAnne Nelson, a 30-year veteran of the British Columbia Geological Survey, the recipient of a Special Tribute in recognition of her distinguished career in geoscience work focused on the tectonics, structural geology and metallogeny of the Northern Cordillera spanning British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska.

Susan Craig, recognized with the Gold Pan Award for her exceptional meritorious service to the mineral exploration community through AME.

Barb Caelles, Alex Christopher and Diane Gregory, honoured with the Frank Woodside Past Presidents and Past Chairs Award for their distinguished service to the association and/or contribution to the mineral industry.

The two recipients of AME's Outreach Education Fund are Britannia Mine Museum for its education programs and MineralsEd for its Kids & Rocks program.

A backgrounder follows.

ABOUT AME

AME is the lead association for the mineral exploration and development industry based in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME represents, advocates, protects and promotes the interests of thousands of members who are engaged in mineral exploration and development in British Columbia and throughout the world. AME encourages a safe, economically strong and environmentally responsible industry by providing clear initiatives, policies, events and tools to support its membership.

BACKGROUNDER

AME ANNOUNCES 2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Leaders in Mineral Exploration and Mine Development to be Recognized at January 25 Gala

Vancouver, B.C. - December 7, 2016 - The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) is pleased to announce its 2016 award recipients. AME will salute its leaders at the AME Awards Celebration of Excellence Gala on January 25 during the AME Roundup 2017 conference. Tickets are available through registration at www.amebc.ca/roundup.

H.H. "SPUD" HUESTIS AWARD - CHRIS ROCKINGHAM, CARL EDMUNDS, WADE BARNES

Chris Rockingham, Carl Edmunds and Wade Barnes are the recipients of the 2016 H.H. "Spud" Huestis Award for Excellence in Prospecting and Mineral Exploration.

It is often said that patience and perseverance surmount every difficulty. The discovery of the Kemess East deposit epitomizes this. Under the leadership of Chris Rockingham, the geological insight of Carl Edmunds and execution of Wade Barnes, a blind porphyry gold copper deposit was discovered and delineated. The recognition that the Kemess North deposit was terminated on its northern and eastern edges by faults led the team to search for the offset under deep post-mineral cover. The first indications of a blind mineralized system were encountered in 2002. By the following year, with a large area of phyllic alteration and some low-grade mineralization, Chris, Carl and Wade were confident that they were vectoring towards better mineralization. This was apparent in 2007 when their fourth hole intersected the longest mineralized intercept in the entire Kemess database to that point, but perhaps more importantly, hole 24 intersected 162 m of 0.62 g/t gold and 0.53% copper in potassic altered intrusive. At this point, however, all exploration stopped as the Kemess North open pit proposal was rejected by the federal government. By 2010, commodity price changes made the concept of block caving appear viable, and Kemess North studies were reinitiated. Nonetheless, exploration did not resume again at Kemess East until 2013 and by January 2015, the first resource estimate was released. The most recent drilling has confirmed and upgraded the initial resources estimation, with spectacular drill intercepts such as 628 m of 0.53 g/t gold with 0.41% copper and the deposit remains open in some areas.

Chris has a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Chris's current role is Vice President, Development at AuRico Metals Inc. While Chris's unwavering belief in the project has been critical, perhaps the key role that he has brought to this project has been his thoughtful commitment to aboriginal engagement.

Carl graduated from Queen's University with a Master of Science in Mineral Exploration and currently holds the position of Chief Geologist at Silver Standard Resources Inc. Carl was Exploration Manager at Kemess from 2003 to 2012 and along with Wade made the seemingly bold projections on the potential grade and tonnage at Kemess East.

Wade is a geology graduate of Simon Fraser University and has been with the project almost since its inception. As Project Geologist, Wade was instrumental in designing and overseeing the 2013-2015 drilling campaigns with his interpretations being the basis for the resource estimates.

E.A. SCHOLZ AWARD - DON PARSONS AND STEVE ROBERTSON

Don Parsons and Steve Robertson are the recipients of the 2016 E.A. Scholz Award for Excellence in Mine Development in British Columbia and/or Yukon. They are being honoured for their pivotal role in advancing the Red Chris copper-gold project in northwestern British Columbia from development to commercial production between 2007 and 2015.

Exploration at the Red Chris deposit was first reported in 1956 but its development began in earnest after the project was acquired in February 2007 by Imperial Metals Corporation, where Don was Chief Operating Officer (as he is today) and Steve was Exploration Manager. Following the acquisition of Red Chris, Imperial's engineering and development team under the leadership of Don re-appraised the existing engineering and feasibility studies and incorporated updated financial, political and technical data into their mine plan. Concurrently, Imperial began a deep drilling campaign under Steve's direction to ascertain the ultimate size of the project. The results of this program exceeded all expectations for tonnage and grade and helped facilitate financing and a positive construction decision for the mine.

The Mines Act Permit application was submitted in 2010 and was shepherded through the process over the next two years under the direction of Don and Steve, with its successful completion allowing the start of mine construction at Red Chris in the summer of 2012. Concurrently with mine construction, a 93-kilometre extension of the 287 kilovolt Northwest Transmission Line power line to the mine site was permitted and built.

While Don was overseeing the construction and commissioning of the mine, Steve continued to work in his new role as Vice President Corporate Affairs on all the social and political aspects of the project. This included ongoing permitting issues and working with the Tahltan Nation to ultimately complete an Impact, Benefit and Co-Management Agreement which provides the basis for partnership between the Tahltan people and Red Chris for the life of the mine. The Red Chris mine, treating 30,000 tonnes of copper-gold ore per day and employing 350 workers including 120 Tahltan from local communities, commenced commercial production on July 1, 2015 and has operated since then without significant issues. Currently, it has a mine life of another 26 years.

Developing, permitting and constructing a project of the magnitude of Red Chris requires many dedicated and hard-working people with talents and abilities in a variety of fields. Don and Steve were able to coordinate and direct those people so as to achieve a common goal: the successful construction of a new mine. For their skill, dedication and perseverance, Don Parsons and Steve Robertson are worthy recipients of the E. A. Scholz Award for 2016.

MURRAY PEZIM AWARD - TERRY SALMAN

The Murray Pezim Award was created to recognize perseverance and success in financing mining exploration in British Columbia and Yukon. Terry Salman is the 2016 recipient of this award in recognition of his remarkable career in Canadian mining finance.

Terry has been a leader in financing junior exploration and mid-cap to large mining companies over the past 35 years. He began his career at Nesbitt Thomson in 1973, rising from a Research Analyst to Executive Vice-President and Director. He is a highly respected investment banker with a focus on natural resources. At Nesbitt Thomson, Terry helped create the first mining team and in the early 1990s established Nesbitt Thomson's first gold conference in Whistler, which ultimately became BMO's Global Metals & Mining Conference.

He left Nesbitt Thomson in 1994 to form Salman Partners where he was President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Director of Research. For 22 years, Salman Partners was a leading resource based investment dealer known for its high-quality research and integrity. Salman Partners participated in syndicates that helped raise $20 billion for more than 400 companies. Salman Partners provided investment analysis across a wide range of sectors, but over the years carved out a specialty in the Vancouver-based resource industry. In 2016, Salman Partners voluntarily resigned from the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada due to a dramatically changing investment climate for independent investment dealers.

Currently, Terry is President and CEO of Salman Capital Inc., an investment advisory and merchant banking firm, capitalizing on his extensive network and relationships he has built in the mining and investment business.

In addition to his highly successful work career, Terry has tirelessly devoted his services to many industry and community non-profit organizations, including an important role in initial fundraising for the Britannia Mine Museum. In 2008, Terry was appointed to the Government of Canada's Expert Panel on Securities Regulations. He is a Past-Chair of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada. In 2009, he was awarded a Doctor of Technology honoris causa by the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Terry also served as Chair of the Vancouver Public Library Foundation for sixteen years and is currently Chair Emeritus. Terry has also served as Chair of St. Paul's Hospital Foundation and has been a director of the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Stem Cell Network. Currently, he serves on the advisory boards of the Investment Industry Association of Canada and Pathfinder Asset Management Limited and is a member of the Campaign Executive Committee of St. Paul's Hospital Foundation.

In recognition of his outstanding volunteer contributions, Terry was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Because of his outstanding career in financing the junior exploration industry, as well as his commitment to volunteer community stewardship, Terry Salman is a deserving recipient of the 2016 Murray Pezim Award.

HUGO DUMMETT DIAMOND AWARD - WILLIAM LAMB AND LUKAS LUNDIN

The Hugo Dummett Diamond Award was created to honour those who have made a significant contribution to diamond exploration, discovery or diamond mine development. William Lamb and Lukas Lundin, President, CEO & Director and Chairman & Director respectively, of Lucara Diamond Corp. are the 2016 recipients of the Hugo Dummett Award in recognition of their roles in developing the Karowe Mine in Botswana.

William has a Diploma in Extraction Metallurgy, an MBA in Finance and over 23 years of experience in operational and project management in the precious metals, coal, chrome and diamond sectors in South Africa and Canada. Prior to joining Lucara in 2008, he spent 13 years with De Beers working across their operations in southern Africa and at the Victor Mine in Canada, focusing on heavy mineral concentration, project development and operational readiness.

Lukas has an engineering degree and he is well known for recognizing value and superior global investment opportunities in the natural resource sector. His uninhibited pursuit of highly prospective properties around the world has resulted in numerous resource discoveries in addition to Karowe including the multi-million ounce Veladero gold discovery. Lucara is a member of the Lundin Group of Companies and was founded, with Lukas's backing, as a diamond company in 2007.

The AK6 kimberlite pipe, now known as Karowe, was discovered almost 50 years ago. It was deemed uneconomic at the time, and there was limited exploration on the property until around 12 years ago. William, who had been given the mandate by Lukas and the Lucara Board of Directors to find the best undeveloped diamond project in the world and bring it into production, was aware of Karowe and believed the original assessment was not correct. He and his technical team determined that the value of the project had been underestimated due to diamond breakage. Lukas provided the financial backing to initially acquire a 70% interest in the project, and then a full 100% interest in the project in 2010. Lukas brought it into production in 2012 by way of a personal loan facility, a guarantee for the original purchase price and the financial support to raise funds to finance development of the mine. Further analysis confirmed that Karowe had the potential for the recovery of large, high value Type IIA diamonds, which could also positively impact the commercial diamond value. William recognized the importance of applying and installing new, cutting-edge X-ray technology in tandem with high capacity bulk sorting to facilitate recovery of these large stones. The potential for large, high-value diamonds at Karowe has been validated by the recovery of over 100 diamonds of greater than 100 carats each since the mine opened, including the 813-ct Constellation and the 1109-ct Lesedi La Rona diamond, the world's second largest gem-quality diamond ever recovered. Karowe is truly one of the world's most unique sources of exceptionally large, high quality, gem diamonds.

The financial strength and entrepreneurial vision of Lukas Lundin allowed Lucara to acquire the Karowe diamond project, and the engineering ability, processing knowledge and determination of William Lamb and his engineering and construction team brought it into production on schedule and under budget. Lukas and William are deserving recipients of the Hugo Dummett Diamond Award for their roles in the realization of this unique project.

COLIN SPENCE AWARD - DR. DAVID BROUGHTON AND SELLO KEKANA

This year's recipients of the Colin Spence Award, for making a significant mineral discovery outside of British Columbia and Yukon through the original application of prospecting techniques or other geoscience technology, are Dr. David Broughton and Sello Kekana. They are being recognized for their outstanding work that led to the discovery of the Tier One Flatreef underground deposit at Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.'s Platreef platinum group metals (PGMs) and nickel-copper-gold project in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex.

David Broughton, who received a PhD in Geology from Colorado School of Mines, joined Ivanhoe Mines as Executive Vice President Exploration in January 2008 and is currently Senior Advisor, Exploration and Geology. His career began in Canada in 1984, where he was involved in the mining and exploration for gold, uranium and base metals. In 1997, his focus turned to stratiform copper deposits and he began working in the Central African Copperbelt followed by projects in Namibia, China, United States, Canada and Poland. David was co-leader of Ivanhoe Mines' Kamoa discovery team. Upon joining Ivanhoe, David also assumed responsibility for exploration at the Platreef Project.

Sello Kekana was born in Kgobudi village, South Africa, which lies within Ivanhoe's Platreef Project area. He holds a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of the Witwatersrand. Sello started his professional career in mineral research and then worked as a geotechnologist for a groundwater company. In 2003 he joined Ivanhoe Mines and has worked on projects in South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. Sello played a key role in the discovery of the Flatreef deposit, advancing from Geologist, to Project Manager, to General Manager, to Group Manager - Geology. During 2011-2012 Sello managed the deep drilling, which during his tenure expanded to include 30 drill rigs, that delineated the Flatreef deposit. Since January 2015, he has been the Head of Transformation for Ivanplats.

Work leading to the discovery of the Flatreef deposit began more than 15 years ago. Exploration in the area by Ivanhoe Mines and its subsidiaries led to delineation of a large, near-surface, low-grade resource that was amenable to open pit mining; however, the open pit area was overlain by villages with a combined population of more than 30,000 people. Realizing the challenges involved with relocating the villagers, the company's geological team led by David and Sello began work to identify other zones of mineralization on the property. Their unique approach, which included applying advanced geophysical modelling to high-resolution airborne gravity data, resulted in the realization in 2010 that the regionally steeply west-dipping mineralized reef flattened at a depth of roughly 700 m below surface on Ivanhoe's property. Deep drilling on the deposit has defined a flat- to gently-dipping NI 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource with an average thickness of 24 m and a strike length in excess of 6 km, containing an estimated 1.2 million kg (42 million oz) of PGMs plus gold at a cut-off of 2 g/t, and an additional 1.5 million kg (52.8 million oz) of PGMs plus gold in Inferred Resources. The Indicated and Inferred Resources also contain 1.6 and 2.4 billion kilograms of nickel and copper, respectively. Project development commenced in 2014 and shaft sinking is underway.

Flatreef is distinguished from other Bushveld projects by its tremendous size and thickness, its high-grade polymetallic nature and potential for byproduct credits of nickel and copper, and its flat-lying orientation leading to the potential for safe, mechanized underground mining. David Broughton and Sello Kekana are deserving recipients of the Colin Spence Award for their roles in the discovery and delineation of this world class deposit.

ROBERT R. HEDLEY AWARD - JIM COONEY

Jim Cooney is the recipient of the Robert R. Hedley Award for Excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility. Jim is a leader and mentor who has led and shaped the integration of environmental and social values into the mining industry. From early in his career in the 1970s he began incorporating social considerations into mining by directing Cominco's first social impact assessment at what is now the Highland Valley Copper mine. By the early 1990s, following the UN's adoption of sustainable development, Jim began publishing articles that promoted this as a mining company strategy for managing social and political risks. He has been an outspoken advocate for sustainable development ever since as well as an advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples and perspectives into the mining industry.

In 1996 Jim was the driving force that led Placer Dome to adopt a policy of sustainable development, the first mining company to do so. Shortly afterward as Chair of the Policy Committee of the International Council on Mining and the Environment (now the ICMM) he successfully led the effort to convince mining companies around the world to adopt sustainable development policies.

Among his many significant accomplishments, Jim coined the term "social licence to operate" at a World Bank meeting in 1997. This term has become a widely accepted reference point for mining companies in their relationship with local communities.

Jim has inspired and mentored more than one new generation of mining industry professionals. Through teaching at the University of British Columbia, presenting at conferences, participating on committees and providing his time and expertise, he has changed the industry's outlook on working with communities and bringing about positive benefits to communities. Although semi-retired, Jim continues to mentor industry practitioners and leaders, and to shape the progress of the mining industry's social and environmental practices.

DAVID BARR AWARD - GRAHAM ENNIS

Graham Ennis is posthumously recognized with the David Barr Award for Excellence in Leadership and Innovation in Mineral Exploration Health and Safety. Graham's passion and dedication to the well-being and safety of employees was simply unsurpassed. His drive and devotion was primarily fueled by experiences from the former part of his career in the mining and forestry sectors, in both British Columbia and Yukon. Through his avalanche rescue and recovery work and mine rescue involvement within these respective sectors, Graham had the unfortunate experience of rescuing or recovering colleagues from both serious and fatal workplace accidents on multiple occasions.

Graham transitioned to the mineral exploration sector in 2006 to pursue his passion for safety by accepting a position in the Northwest Territories as a Safety Representative with Major Drilling Group. He moved to Manitoba shortly thereafter upon being promoted to the role of Safety Coordinator, eventually leading to the position of Health, Safety, Environment and Community Manager few years later.

During his tenure at Major, Graham worked tirelessly to improve safety performance, always with the best interest of the crews at heart. From the onset, he was adamant on training, emergency preparedness, the implementation of an intensive accident investigation protocol and the return to work process. Even in a managerial role, he kept a direct pulse on the safety culture as well as the challenges and issues faced by the crews through frequent field visits across Canadian surface and underground operations including some international sites. His observations often led to recommendations and continual improvement efforts within the organization. As such, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of numerous company safety programs, including a comprehensive program for constructing and working on ice covers. He was always eager to roll up his sleeves to take the lead or mentor ice crews on ice testing and monitoring techniques to ensure that company protocols were strictly followed.

Graham was a strong advocate of sharing best practices, experiences and lessons learned, transcending company boundaries. He was always generous with his time as well as with his wealth of knowledge, experience and industry contacts accumulated over the years. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA); his involvement ranged from presenting papers at the association's Annual General Meeting and Convention to working at the sub-committee level with respect to industry training and safety issues. He was also a long-standing chair of the CDDA's Western Safety Group - coordinating venues and speakers, and relentless rallying for continued support and participation from industry and government parties alike.

Graham was also a very active and well-respected member of the Mine Accident Prevention Association of Manitoba (MAPAM) Board of Directors from 2008 through 2015. During this time, MAPAM's directors' collective efforts led to establishment of emergency planning, preparedness and response protocols for Manitoba's mining industry. They also realized marked industry improvements in safety culture and performance, attributed to the sharing of risk management information and lessons learned among their membered companies.

Finally, Graham was avid mountaineer and fisherman, not to mention a great story teller. Coffee breaks, meetings and other gatherings were always good fun! Accounts of his excursions and past work experiences, often injected with safety messaging and a great sense of humour, drew his audience near and attracted anyone within earshot to listen in.

On or off-the-job, Graham was a great role model - a devoted, energetic and sincere proponent of personal safety - who inspired others to follow suit. For these reasons, Graham Ennis is a fitting posthumous recipient of the David Barr Award.

SPECIAL TRIBUTE - JOANNE NELSON

JoAnne Nelson, a 30-year veteran of the British Columbia Geological Survey, is being acknowledged with a Special Tribute for her significant contributions to the advancement of geoscientific knowledge relating to the tectonics, structural geology and metallogeny of the Northern Cordillera. Over this time span she has developed an outstanding geoscience reputation coupled with major contributions as a project leader, mentor and communicator.

JoAnne was raised in the western United States where she initially became fascinated with rocks as a young teenager, during a mountaineering course at Yosemite National Park. Following completion of high school she went on to earn B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in geology at the University of Washington and at the University of British Columbia, in 1973 and 1976, respectively. While at UBC she also earned a B.Ed. degree, and later taught high school science on Haida Gwaii followed by sessional lecturing in geology at UBC and at Douglas College between 1978 and 1985. During this period, she also worked as a field geologist with Resource Associates of Alaska, and did some contract petrography for Vancouver Petrographics.

Since joining the BCGS in 1986, JoAnne has conducted extensive field mapping and related geological studies throughout British Columbia, with a primary focus on the tectonics and metallogeny of the northwestern part of the province. She has also developed expertise in aspects of the evolution of the B.C.-Yukon-Alaskan Cordillera as a whole. Her current project, as Northwestern BC Manager, involves structural and geochronological studies of the Mesozoic porphyry-epithermal belt known as the Golden Triangle.

Throughout her career, JoAnne has successfully interwoven the complex geology of the Cordillera with the wealth of mineral deposits it contains. She understands that this process is best done by also incorporating knowledge developed by industry geologists and prospectors. To this end, she meets with them in their offices and in the field, uses their reports, and engages with them at conferences. Her charisma and enthusiastic presentations at technical conferences and at regional community meetings have informed and inspired a broad spectrum of explorers, researchers, students and the general public.

JoAnne's accomplishments were formally recognized in 2013 when she was listed in the top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining by the United Kingdom's Standard Bank. Additionally, in 2015, she was presented with the Gold Pick Award by the Kamloops Exploration Group (KEG) in recognition of "outstanding services and contributions to the minerals industry". AME is pleased to add to these accolades by awarding her the 2016 Special Tribute.

GOLD PAN AWARD - SUSAN CRAIG

Susan Craig is recognized with the Gold Pan Award for her exceptional meritorious service to the mineral exploration community through AME. Susan has more than a decade of experience supporting AME. She served as co-chair of the Mineral Exploration Roundup committee in 2009 and 2010, and was chair in 2011, when attendance at AME's Roundup conference first exceeded 7,000 participants. In 2004, she joined the First Nations & Community Relations Committee, and to this day serves on its successor, the Aboriginal Relations Committee. Susan has served on AME's Board of Directors from 2005 to 2008, and since 2014. She was a co-recipient of the inaugural 2007 Robert R. Hedley Award for Excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility. Outside of AME, Susan has been Chair of the Yukon Minerals Advisory Group and is a director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines.

FRANK WOODSIDE PAST PRESIDENTS AND PAST CHAIRS AWARD - BARBARA CAELLES, ALEX CHRISTOPHER AND DIANE GREGORY

The Frank Woodside Past Presidents and Past Chairs Award is presented to three individuals for their distinguished service to AME.

Barbara Caelles graduated with a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of British Columbia, and has worked in the mining industry for more than 40 years. She started her career in exploration as a field geologist, but eventually turned to consulting in records management for mining in order to have a more balanced lifestyle.

Barbara has been involved in women's groups since she was appointed in 1975 to the Women Geoscientists Committee in 1975, of which she became Chair in 1977. Barbara is a founding member of Women in Mining British Columbia (formerly known as Women in Mining Vancouver), sits on the executive of the Greater Vancouver Mining Women's Association, and was part of the BC HR Task Force, Diversity-Women Sub-committee. In 2010 Barbara received the Minerva Foundation's Women in Natural Resources Award for Philanthropy and Volunteerism, and was recognized as a Life Member by AME in 2015.

Alex Christopher joined Teck's Exploration Group in 1984 and was appointed Senior Vice President, Exploration, Projects & Technical Services in July 2016. He previously held the position of Vice President, Exploration, and has held a number of positions in the company within Exploration, Exploration Business Development and Corporate Development. Alex holds a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Geology from McMaster University and an Environmental Biology Technology Diploma from Canadore College. Alex is also on the Board of Directors of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada ("PDAC") and is a Director of Horizonte Minerals Plc. Alex has served on the AME's Finance & Audit Committee since 2006, and served as a Director from 2006 through 2009.

Diane Gregory has a career that ranges from being the geologist and lands manager for Murray Pezim's Prime Explorations Ltd. during the Eskay Creek staking rush to being a land manager with The Claim Group Inc., a mineral tenure management company. Diane was part of the Land Use Committee of AME and Lands Committee of the PDAC several years during the late 1990s and early 2000s. As a Land and Contracts Manager with Kennecott Exploration Canada Inc., Diane sat at the Cassiar-Iskut-Stikine land use for two years and reported to AME regarding the deliberations. Along with Barbara Caelles, Diane was a founding member of Women in Mining British Columbia (formerly known as Women in Mining Vancouver). Diane was previously recognized as a Life Member by AME in 2012.

OUTREACH EDUCATION FUND - BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM AND MINERALSED

Britannia Mine Museum is granted $10,000 to assist and support the Museum's Educational Program that is focused on earth science programs and events for students. These programs are attended annually by 10,000 students.

The 2016 programs focused on the themes of What Use Are Minerals To Me?, Mineral Diversity Up Close and The Bigger Picture XL, a critical thinking game related to operating a mining company for the Grades 5 to 6 students. The inaugural DIG Day-Delving into Geoscience, an activity dealing with plate tectonics, volcanoes, minerals, rocks and fossils was featured during spring break.The educational initiatives for 2017 will focus on developing exhibits on carbon and carbon innovations, enhancing activities associated with DIG Day-Delving into Geoscience with a focus on geological events related to the origin of the Britannia copper deposits. Also, a permanent display of the hydrothermal Black Smoker chimney specimens from the Juan de Fuca Ridge will be developed at the Mineral Gallery of the Beaty - Lundin Visitor Centre. All programs and activities will be coordinated with the primary objective of supporting and assisting the teachers for educating students on geological science.

Mineral Resources Education Program of BC (MineralsEd) is granted $10,000 for coordinating the Kids & Rocks hands-on classroom workshop in 2017 for children and students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 in the Lower Mainland schools of BC. A complementary version of the Kids & Rocks program, tentatively referred to as Kids & Rocks 5, will be introduced for Grade 4 to 6 classes. The main objective of Kids & Rocks program is to introduce children to the basic properties of various rocks and minerals and how they are utilized to benefit our lives. The kids are provided with a bag of about 25 rocks and minerals, a hand lens, hardness kit, streak plate, magnet and flashlight to experience and learn the basic physical properties of their specimens. As the children advance, they are introduced on how our daily lives are dependent on earth's non-renewable resources. The more advanced Kids & Rocks 5 program will challenge the students to identify "blind" mineral and rock samples by way of examining, recognizing and recording specific physical properties to identify the mineral specimens; and for rocks, determining whether it is an igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic rock.

The Kids & Rocks project is an important stepping stone for our current and future mineral exploration industry.