The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) announced the winners of its annual CIM Awards at a gala dinner on May 10 during the CIM Conference and Exhibition. The annual awards recognize minerals industry leaders for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The CIM Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to James L. Popowich. Popowich, retired president and CEO of Elk Valley Coal and 2007-2008 CIM past president, received this award for his leadership in reshaping CIM’s governance policies. The Vale Inco Medal was presented to Robert A. Quartermain, retired president and CEO of Silver Standard Resources Inc. Quartermain received this award for his leadership in the mining industry. The Selwyn G. Blaylock Medal was presented to Phillip J. Mackey, president, P.J. Mackey Technology Inc. Mackey received this award for contributions in extractive metallurgy and for mentoring several generations of engineers.

BHP Billiton has appointed Glenn Kellow president, Stainless Steel Materials. Gerard Bond, who was the CFO of Stainless Steel Materials and who has been acting president, will assume the role of project director in the Finance Group. Jac Fourie will succeed Kellow at New Mexico Coal.

Barrick Gold Corp. announced that Executive Vice Chairman, Greg Wilkins, recently passed away. Wilkins served as president and CEO from 2003 to March 2008. He had been a member of the company’s board of directors since 1991. Over the course of his career, he held a succession of increasingly senior roles, including CFO in the early 1990s. He took the lead in executing Barrick’s acquisition of Placer Dome Inc., a bold move that vaulted Barrick to its industry position today as the world’s leading gold miner and one of Canada’s most prominent companies.