In recent years, the MNN Awards have not only rewarded success, but turned out to be a good indicator of ongoing success.
In the case of our Deal and/or Merger of the Year winner, Saracen Mineral Holdings, the company announced an even bigger deal weeks later: a merger with KCGM partner Northern Star Resources, a deal that is eligible for this year's awards.
Saracen won last year's award (a year after boss Raleigh Finlayson won CEO of the Year) for its transformational acquisition of 50% of KCGM, with Northern Star the runner-up in that same category.
While Saracen may be no more, Northern Star is now a A$11.5 billion global gold major.
Explorer of the Year for 2020 was De Grey Mining for its Hemi gold discovery in the Pilbara.
Since then, it has had further exploration success with the discovery of the Diucon and Eagle zones, which have a strike length of 1.5km.
Its hotly anticipated maiden resource is due any day now.
The company's market capitalisation has briefly touched $2 billion and it's currently worth about $1.7 billion.
Ramelius Resources managing director Mark Zeptner was named 2020 CEO of the Year after his second consecutive nomination in that category.
Since then, the gold miner joined the ASX 200 and has continued to consistently deliver on its targets, including the first ore from the new Tampia mine last week.
While Ramelius shares are off the September 2020 peak, the share price has been at 2021 highs in recent weeks.
The 2020 New and/or Emerging Leader of the Year Award went to Chalice Mining managing director Alex Dorsch.
Chalice was also runner-up in the Explorer of the Year category for its world-class Julimar discovery, for which a maiden resource is being targeted for September.
The company is spending $5 million a month on exploration.
Dorsch is now at the helm of a $3 billion company, with its exploration success culminating in Chalice joining the ASX 200 yesterday.
The 2020 MNN Awards also turned out to be an excellent predictor of the Diggers & Dealers awards, presented in October 2020.
Saracen and Northern Star jointly won the Dealer Award at Diggers & Dealers, while Ramelius won the Digger Award.
De Grey was named the Best Emerging Company.
Nominations for the 2021 MNN Awards are open now. A shortlist of nominees will be announced in early July and be profiled throughout the month with winners to be announced by the start of August.
