The 2011 recipients of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC)'s annual awards include the Britannia Mine and renowned geoscientist Dave Lefebure, former chief geologist with the B.C. Geological Survey, who retired last fall.

The awards were presented at a ceremony and dinner Wednesday evening as part of Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012.

The Britannia Mine Museum is the 2011 recipient of the Robert R. Hedley Award for excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility. The museum exemplifies these values as the site of a former mine with a challenging operating legacy transformed by a $14.7-million renovation and environmental mitigation program. In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, the museum is a venue for educating the public about the contributions of mining and minerals to society.

David Lefebure, B.C.'s former chief geologist, will be honoured for leading a staff of geoscientists at the B.C. Geological Survey dedicated to creating projects and programs oriented toward attracting investment and advancement of the mineral and coal resources of the province. Lefebure was much-respected by the B.C. exploration community for measures that he led or fostered including the B.C. Mineral Deposit Profiles and MapPlace, and his involvement in the development and delivery of the B.C. Mining Plan. He also played a major role in developing the B.C. mineral potential assessment, the most sophisticated resource evaluation of any jurisdiction to date.

AME BC's awards are named in honour of industry leaders who made transformative contributions to mineral exploration and development and to the progress of AME BC through advocacy and service.

For more information on this year's winners, click here (amebc.ca) .

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617

BACKGROUNDER

Jan. 26, 2012 Ministry of Energy and Mines

and Minister Responsible for Housing

This year's recipients are as follows:

Dirk Tempelman-Kluit and Peter Bernier, founders of Richfield Ventures Corp., are the recipients of the H.H. "Spud" Huestis Award for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration.

Clynton Nauman, president and CEO, and Bradley Thrall, environmental vice-president and COO, of Alexco Resource Corp. are the recipients of the E. A. Scholz Award for excellence in mine development.

Mark O'Dea is the recipient of the Murray Pezim Award for perseverance and success in financing mineral exploration.

Jon Carlson is the recipient of the Hugo Dummett Award for excellence in diamond exploration and development.

Jeff Pontius and the International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. exploration team are the recipients of the 2011 Colin Spence Award for excellence in global mineral exploration.

Michael Gunning, president and CEO of Hathor Exploration Ltd., is the recipient of the David Barr Award for Leadership and Innovation in Mineral Exploration Health and Safety.

The Britannia Mine Museum is the 2011 recipient of the Robert R. Hedley Award for excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility.

The Frank Woodside Past Presidents Distinguished Service Award is awarded to four individuals: Jim Allan, Glen Dickson, Grant Luck, and Christine Ogryzlo.

Ed Kimura received the Gold Pan Award for his service to the mineral exploration community through his work with the association.

AME BC honoured two renowned geoscientists with Special Tributes:

David Lefebure, former chief geologist with the British Columbia Geological Survey, and Michael Burke, former head of the Mineral Services Division of the Yukon Geological Survey.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617