The Mining and Metallurgical Society of America has chosen to award its 2019 gold medal to Pierre Lassonde, chairman of Toronto-based Franco-Nevada Mining.
Lassonde is recognized for his leadership as a mining executive for a major mining company, as a founder of the largest natural resources royalty company, a mining financier, and a business innovator. He is also notable for his philanthropic contributions to education, health and social services. He will receive his prize on Feb. 25 at the MMSA annual dinner.
The gold medal is awarded for conspicuous professional or public service for the advancement of the science in mining and metallurgy or in economic geology. It recognizes that the recipient is responsible for the betterment of the conditions in these industries, for the protection of mine investors, and especially for the better protection of the health and safety of workmen in the mines and metallurgical establishments.
MMSA considers the gold medal to be the highest honour it can bestow on individuals for exemplary service to the mineral industry. The first medal was awarded to Herbert Hoover in 1914. Since then and through 2018, only 36 medals have been awarded.
This story first appeared in Canadian Mining Journal.