Mackenzie Watson, president of Freewest Resources, was named Prospector of the Year at the 400-strong Quebec Prospectors Association (QPA) convention and annual meeting held recently in Val d’Or, Que.
Also honored were bothers Gustave, Romeo and Toussaint Cere, who won the Nicholas Denys award for long-term prospecting success. James Gill, president of Aur Resources, received the year’s Entrepreneur award for the development of the Louvicourt base metal mine. Gerald Riverin, Minnova’s regional director of exploration, garnered the Dr. Jean Descarreux award for advancing geological science and knowledge.
QPA President Michel Bouchard was re-elected for a second term. Popular session topics included proposed changes to the Quebec Mining Act, new environmental regulations, exploration in the Chibougamau camp and diamond exploration across the province.
At the same time, results of a poll taken by the QPA revealed that exploration expenditures in Quebec are likely to drop to $75-85 million this year from more than $100 million last year.
“The prospectors have to be on their toes and keep their eyes and ears open so that the overall conditions for mining in Quebec and across Canada do not deteriorate further,” says J.J. Martel, convention participant and president of Minieres du Nord.
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