Where it all begins in the mining industry.

Lifetime achievements, mineral discoveries, and oncoming mine developments were recognized by the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association in Thunder Bay, April 3.

The annual gala took place during the three-day Ontario Prospectors Exploration Showcase held at the city's Valhalla Inn.

Geologist Robert Chataway received the Dan Calvert Distinguished Service Award for his service to the exploration community in organizing the Thunder Bay Mining Day Committee and the Geraldton Trade Show. He's been a project geologist exploring for gold, uranium, lithium, platinum group metals, iron and other base metals across Canada for 48 years.

Three people--Gary Peacock, Bill Spade and Carmen Storey received the Dave Christianson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Peacock was instrumental in the discovery of the Selbaie zinc-copper mines in Quebec and has been involved in diamond, gold and base metal exploration and processing in Australia, Quebec, and across Northern Ontario.

Sioux Lookout native and bush worker Bill Spade began doing seasonal work in the mineral sector in his teens before becoming a prospector, claim staker, and owner of his own exploration services business. He's looked for base metals across Canada and works with First Nation communities who want to pursue mineral exploration.

Carmen Storey worked as a provincial geologist for 32 years, including a 1992-to-2016 term as the Red Lake...