An under the radar gold producer with a Cambodian mine has taken out the coveted Digger of the Year award at Wednesday night’s WesTrac Gala Dinner in Kalgoorlie.
The award, which wrapped up the annual Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum, recognised the West Perth-based Emerald Resources successfully building the Okavu gold mine in Cambodia “on time and within budget despite COVID restrictions”.
After constructing the mine Emerald pumped out 114,000 ounces of the precious metal for the 2024 financial year, sending its share price up over 60 per cent during the period.
Azure Minerals was crowned Dealer of the Year after being acquired by Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting and Chile’s SQM for $1.7 billion, while the GJ Stokes Memorial Award went to industry veteran Michael Erickson for his “significant and lasting contribution” to the mining industry.
Mr Erickson started his career as a geologist 38 years ago and has served as the regional head of AngloGold Ashanti’s Australian operations.
He is especially noted for his “unwavering dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace,” with strong involvement in Women In Mining WA and he has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQI+ pride initiatives in the industry.
The 2024 Emerging Company Award went to WA1 Resources, which is focused on developing the Luni niobium deposit within its West Arunta project in the namesake WA region.
The Luni deposit has a resource estimate of 200 million tonnes of 1 per cent niobium pentoxide and has sparked a new exploration rush in the region.