2025 Frank Arnott Next Generation Explorers Award
Are you a current earth science student looking for career development, international recognition and a chance to win cash prizes? Then this is the challenge for you!
The NGEA™ is an international mining competition that offers students hands-on experience working with modern geoscience datasets encountered in the field, opportunities to improve their leadership and team-based skills, and the ability to expand their industry networks and increase potential employment opportunities.
The challenge is open to students who are either currently enrolled in an undergraduate earth science degree or post-graduate research (masters or PhD) at the time of registering. Teams are encouraged to be multi-disciplinary and include members from other fields of study (i.e., engineers, data scientists, economists, social scientists, etc.).
This year’s challenge features a grand prize of CAN$5000 for the team with the highest judges’ score, and three prizes of CAN$3000 for the categories of: 1) Innovation, 2) Data integration and 3) Impact & Exploration Significance.
The judges will award these prizes based on participants’ scores for each category. Teams are eligible to win both the grand prize and a category prize, however, they are not eligible to win more than one category prize.
With the final contestants presenting in person at the PDAC 2025 convention, the NGEA™ will contribute funds for the flight and accommodation costs to Toronto for two to four members of the finalist teams.
It’s important to note each team must meet a minimum of two aspects of “Team Diversity” for entry into the NGEA™. Diversity may be in the form of discipline / specialisation, gender, nationality, culture, etc. Teams that do not meet these criteria will not be eligible for the award.
The NGEA™ Association also partners with several geological surveys, mining companies and industry professionals to ensure our students have access to professional guidance and advice.
Interested in joining NGEA 2025 but don’t have a team? Email us and we’ll connect you with other participants: nextgenerationexplorersaward@gmail.com
Otherwise, please visit www.frankarnottaward.com to enter your team!
Teck Joins as Gold Sponsor
The Next Generation Explorers Award (NGEA™) Association is pleased to welcome Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) as a Gold Sponsor for the 2024 Frank Arnott – Next Generation Explorers Award (NGEA™).
“We’re thrilled Teck has joined the challenge as Gold Sponsor and look forward to working with them to foster the next generation of successful mineral exploration industry leaders,” said Marc Gasparotto, Vice-President of the Next Generation Explorers Award Association. “Their commitment speaks to the importance of our industry meeting the challenges of tomorrow by preparing and training the geoscientists of today.”
“Teck is excited to be a part of the NGEATM challenge and looks forward to interacting with future discoverers in our industry as part of the 2024 competition.” said Stuart McCracken, Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience.
Announcing our Judges for the 2024
Frank Arnott – Next Generation Explorers Award
Exciting news to report as we’ve finalized the judges for the 2024 challenge:
Alistair McCready, General Manager (Generative & Technical) – Americas Region, Rio Tinto
Ayesha Ahmed, Manager – Geochemistry, Teck Resources Ltd.
Bill Spicer, Senior Geophysicist, Exiro Minerals
Daniel Gregory, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Eoin McGrath, Head of Minerals – Geological Survey Ireland
Jenna McKenzie, Co-founder & Principal Geophysicist, Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience Inc.
Michele Anthony, Manager Generative North America, BHP
Our judges look forward to reviewing this year’s NGEA submissions and meeting the finalists of this year’s award!
