QMEA Recognition Awards

Each year, during its Recognition Awards Gala held as part of the Xplor convention in October, the QMEA highlights the dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit of companies and individuals who contribute to the development of the Quebec mineral exploration industry.

On this occasion, 5 corporate awards and 4 individual awards are presented to reward members who have distinguished themselves during the year. You can submit a nomination here at any time.

This award is given to recognize an individual’s contribution to increasing geoscientific knowledge related to mineral exploration through his or her writings, thereby leading to growth in exploration activities.
Jean Descarreaux: A Pioneer in Mineral Exploration in Quebec

Mr. Jean Descarreaux is recognized as a key pioneer in the development of mineral exploration in Quebec. In 1975, he founded the Quebec Prospectors Association, an organization that would later become the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA). This association played a crucial role in structuring and representing the interests of prospectors and mineral exploration industry players in the province.

Jean Descarreaux also served as the first Chair of the Board of Directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), an institution he helped shape. His commitment to education and research led to the creation of the Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), a department that plays an important role in innovation and technological development in the mining sector.

His influence in the mining and academic sectors has significantly influenced the evolution of the industry in Quebec, contributing to its international reputation.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Mr. Michel Houlé

This award is given to recognize the career of an individual who, through his or her work over many years, has contributed significantly to the development of mining entrepreneurship in Quebec.
Hector Authier: A Key Player in Mining Development in Quebec

Mr. Hector Authier left his mark on the history of Abitibi-Témiscamingue through his political and industrial roles. He was mayor of Amos, a town located in the heart of this dynamic mining region, where he worked for local development and the growth of the mining industry. At the same time, Hector Authier held management responsibilities within several influential mining companies.

He held management positions in companies such as Canadian Exploration Ltd. in 1925, Abana Mines in 1926, and headed companies such as Siscoe, Read-Authier Mines Ltd., Lamaque, Bourlamaque, East Malartic, Canadian Malartic and Grene Stabell. These companies played a key role in the mining development of the Abitibi region, which is today one of the most important mining centres in Quebec.

Hector Authier’s influence extends beyond his own mining career, as he was also a central player in structuring the province’s mining industry and contributed to its international influence. His commitment to the development of Abitibi-Témiscamingue left a lasting mark on the economic and social landscape of this region.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Mr. Mario Rouillier

This award is given to recognize the career of a prospector who, through his or her work over many years, has contributed significantly to the development of prospecting and mineral exploration in Quebec.
Nicolas Denys: A Pioneer of Exploration and the Industry in Canada

Mr. Nicolas Denys was a French explorer, merchant and fishing industrialist who played a crucial role in the development of early industries in North America. Originally from France, he settled in Nova Scotia (then a French colony) in the early 17th century, where he became one of the region’s first entrepreneurs.

In addition to his role as an industrialist, Nicolas Denys was a geographer and observer of the region’s natural history. In his major work, “The Description and Natural History of the Coasts of North America”, he documents his observations of the Indigenous peoples, fauna, flora and geographical conditions of North America. His work has been a valuable resource for better understanding the first decades of European colonization in the Americas.

Denys has therefore left his mark on history as a valuable witness to the first interactions between European settlers and Indigenous peoples, as well as the region’s natural wealth.

Submit a nomination

 

Here are our happy 2024 recipients

Mr. Léopold Tremblay & Mr. Marcel St-Laurent

This award is given to an individual or organization in the field of business, finance and/or law who has made a significant contribution to the mineral exploration industry.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Mr. Michael Gentile

This award recognizes the work of a service company that, through its development and expansion of services, has contributed significantly to the development of mineral exploration in Quebec or elsewhere.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

RJLL Drilling

This award highlights the work of an entrepreneur (or a team of entrepreneurs) whose business has made significant progress over the past year. This progress may be related to the development of a specific project or to the overall activities of the business.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Patriot Battery Metals

This award is given to a company to highlight its high standards in sustainable development.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Cree Mineral Exploration Board

This award highlights the importance of a recent discovery that has had a significant ripple effect on exploration activity on the property itself or in the immediate area.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Winsome Resources, Adina Project

This award is given to recognize an individual’s contribution to increasing geoscientific knowledge related to mineral exploration through his or her writings, thereby leading to growth in exploration activities.
Jean Descarreaux: A Pioneer in Mineral Exploration in Quebec

Mr. Jean Descarreaux is recognized as a key pioneer in the development of mineral exploration in Quebec. In 1975, he founded the Quebec Prospectors Association, an organization that would later become the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA). This association played a crucial role in structuring and representing the interests of prospectors and mineral exploration industry players in the province.

Jean Descarreaux also served as the first Chair of the Board of Directors of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), an institution he helped shape. His commitment to education and research led to the creation of the Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), a department that plays an important role in innovation and technological development in the mining sector.

His influence in the mining and academic sectors has significantly influenced the evolution of the industry in Quebec, contributing to its international reputation.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Mr. Michel Houlé

This award is given to recognize the career of an individual who, through his or her work over many years, has contributed significantly to the development of mining entrepreneurship in Quebec.
Hector Authier: A Key Player in Mining Development in Quebec

Mr. Hector Authier left his mark on the history of Abitibi-Témiscamingue through his political and industrial roles. He was mayor of Amos, a town located in the heart of this dynamic mining region, where he worked for local development and the growth of the mining industry. At the same time, Hector Authier held management responsibilities within several influential mining companies.

He held management positions in companies such as Canadian Exploration Ltd. in 1925, Abana Mines in 1926, and headed companies such as Siscoe, Read-Authier Mines Ltd., Lamaque, Bourlamaque, East Malartic, Canadian Malartic and Grene Stabell. These companies played a key role in the mining development of the Abitibi region, which is today one of the most important mining centres in Quebec.

Hector Authier’s influence extends beyond his own mining career, as he was also a central player in structuring the province’s mining industry and contributed to its international influence. His commitment to the development of Abitibi-Témiscamingue left a lasting mark on the economic and social landscape of this region.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Mr. Mario Rouillier

This award is given to recognize the career of a prospector who, through his or her work over many years, has contributed significantly to the development of prospecting and mineral exploration in Quebec.
Nicolas Denys: A Pioneer of Exploration and the Industry in Canada

Mr. Nicolas Denys was a French explorer, merchant and fishing industrialist who played a crucial role in the development of early industries in North America. Originally from France, he settled in Nova Scotia (then a French colony) in the early 17th century, where he became one of the region’s first entrepreneurs.

In addition to his role as an industrialist, Nicolas Denys was a geographer and observer of the region’s natural history. In his major work, “The Description and Natural History of the Coasts of North America”, he documents his observations of the Indigenous peoples, fauna, flora and geographical conditions of North America. His work has been a valuable resource for better understanding the first decades of European colonization in the Americas.

Denys has therefore left his mark on history as a valuable witness to the first interactions between European settlers and Indigenous peoples, as well as the region’s natural wealth.

Submit a nomination

 

Here are our happy 2024 recipients

Mr. Léopold Tremblay & Mr. Marcel St-Laurent

This award is given to an individual or organization in the field of business, finance and/or law who has made a significant contribution to the mineral exploration industry.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Mr. Michael Gentile

This award recognizes the work of a service company that, through its development and expansion of services, has contributed significantly to the development of mineral exploration in Quebec or elsewhere.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

RJLL Drilling

This award highlights the work of an entrepreneur (or a team of entrepreneurs) whose business has made significant progress over the past year. This progress may be related to the development of a specific project or to the overall activities of the business.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Patriot Battery Metals

This award is given to a company to highlight its high standards in sustainable development.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Cree Mineral Exploration Board

This award highlights the importance of a recent discovery that has had a significant ripple effect on exploration activity on the property itself or in the immediate area.

Submit a nomination

 

Here is our happy 2024 recipient

Winsome Resources, Adina Project