Diggers & Dealers’ anticipated digger of the year award has gone to Ramelius Resources, while De Grey Mining has notched deal of the year as the golden run continues.
Diggers & Dealers’ anticipated digger of the year award has gone to Ramelius Resources, while De Grey Mining has notched deal of the year as the golden run continues.
The $5 billion deal of Northern Star acquiring De Grey Mining, which was developing the Hemi gold project in the Pilbara, earned the developer the best deal of the year on the final night of the mining forum.
The Super Pit owner wrapped up the all-scrip acquisition in April, bringing what it expects to be a large-scale, long-life asset into its portfolio. In the months since, water woes have emerged as Northern Star navigates the approvals processes.
It also marks five years since De Grey Mining won the emerging company of the year award at Diggers & Dealers.
In handing over the award, judges praised De Grey’s corporate strategy and the substantial value created for shareholders in what has been the biggest deal in the heated M&A gold space.
“From discovery in March 2020, its rapid Hemi resource growth fueled a share price surge of several hundred percent culminating in a change of control transaction,” judges told the crowd at the Westrac Gala at Diggers & Dealers.
The equally regarded digger of the year award went to Ramelius Resources, a cherry on top for the mid-tier goldminer fresh off completing its $2.4 billion Spartan Resources deal.
The mining conference’s judges highlighted Ramelius’ operational and financial performance and pointed to the miner achieving production and cost guidance for five consecutive years.
Mark Zeptner-led Ramelius outperformed its full-year production guidance, producing 301,644oz for FY25, the first time it notched over the 300K mark.
Eyes were on Turaco Gold Limited after the West African goldminer was named emerging company of the year.
That award is given to a company that the judges consider to have the greatest potential to develop a substantial project. Turaco acquired the Afema gold project in Cote d’lvoire in early 2024 and has wasted no time getting on the ground.
Judges pointed to its aggressive drilling program delivering numerous high-grade gold discoveries and a mineral resource estimate of 3.55 million ounces of gold in May.
“Turaco is positioned to unlock significant value and advance toward becoming a new mid-tier gold producer in the region,” the judges said.
The regarded DJ Stokes memorial award was this year bestowed to Peter Cook, geologist turned resources industry stalwart.
Mr Cook is best known for developing Westgold Resources and Metals X into two, $2 billion companies. He’s founded and led numerous mining ventures for 30 years.
He’s chair of Santana Minerals, Titan Minerals, Castile Resources and Nico Resources.
“Throughout his career, Peter has been a renovator - fixing and rebuilding failed or stalled projects like Mount Magnet, Gidgee, Wafi, Hidden Valley, the tin mines of Rension, Mt Bischoff and Collingwood, Higginsville, Meekatharra, Cue, Big Bell, Tuckabianna, Fortnum, the list goes on,” the judges said.
“He has also been an innovator and industry voice unafraid to tackle the regulators and industry detractors who he feels are holding the industry back.”
Each year a WA School of Mine student is picked for the Ray Finlayson award for leadership and academic excellence. WASMA has served as a training ground for countless mining industry leaders.
This year’s award went to Mason Calter, a third-year mining engineering honours student.
He was praised for achieving consistently strong academic results while completing placements with resource companies all while being an active community member.
And lastly, the Diggers & Dealers media award went to Pay Dirt deputy editor and resources sector journalist Michael Washbourne.
The judges said the journalist consistently delivered high-quality coverage of the mining and exploration sectors, reporting both on his home soil and across Africa.
