G.E.M. Awards
The Global Energy & Minerals Awards
Honouring excellence in strategic energy minerals and the energy transition.
Strategic Energy Minerals and Energy (critical minerals for the energy transition — lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, rare earths, graphite, etc. — plus related energy applications).
Company / Organization Categories
Strategic Minerals Company of the Year
Overall excellence across strategy, operations, growth, and impact (the top corporate prize).
Exploration & Discovery of the Year
Outstanding new finds or advances in identifying strategic energy mineral deposits.
Mining & Extraction Excellence
Best operational performance, safety, productivity, or innovative extraction methods.
Processing, Refining & Midstream Innovation
Breakthroughs in beneficiation, refining, chemical processing, or converting minerals into battery-grade materials.
Recycling, Circularity & Secondary Supply
Leadership in recycling batteries, e-waste, or creating circular supply chains for strategic minerals.
Supply Chain Resilience & Security Award
Projects or companies that strengthen diversified, ethical, and secure global supply chains.
Sustainability & ESG Leadership
Best overall environmental, social, and governance performance (including water, biodiversity, community, and emissions reduction).
Net-Zero / Decarbonisation Achievement
Tangible progress toward low-carbon or net-zero mining, processing, or energy-mineral operations.
Technology & Digital Innovation Project of the Year
AI, automation, advanced sensors, direct lithium extraction, or other game-changing tech applications.
Deal / Investment / Financing of the Year
Significant transactions, project financing, or partnerships that advance strategic minerals projects.
Emerging / Junior Company of the Year
High-impact smaller or early-stage companies making outsized contributions.
Community Impact & Shared Value Award (optional but recommended)
Exceptional work with local communities, Indigenous groups, or socioeconomic development.
Individual / Professional Categories
Leader / Executive of the Year
Senior leaders driving strategy, growth, or transformation in the sector.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Career-long contribution to strategic energy minerals or the broader energy-minerals ecosystem.
Rising Star Award
Outstanding professionals in the first 10–15 years of their career.
Innovator / Technologist of the Year
Individuals behind breakthrough technologies, processes, or R&D.
Sustainability Champion
Professionals leading environmental, climate, or social responsibility efforts.
Geoscientist / Explorer of the Year
Excellence in geological discovery, mapping, or resource definition.
Woman in Strategic Minerals Leadership Award (or broader Diversity & Inclusion Leadership)
Recognising impactful women (or underrepresented leaders) advancing the industry.
Young Professional / New Talent Award (optional)
For those under ~35 or in the earliest career stage.
Optional Special / Cross-Cutting Categories
Energy Transition Enabler of the Year
Company or project that best links minerals to clean energy systems — batteries, EVs, renewables, grid storage.
Policy / Partnership Impact Award
For governments, associations, or public-private collaborations.
These categories cover the full value chain (exploration → mining → processing → recycling → end-use in energy) while emphasising the "strategic" and sustainability aspects that define the field today.
Selection and Winners Committee
The Committee who selects the nominees and the winners is composed of great industry leaders from around the world, and are the following: