Recognising and celebrating individuals who are excelling in the mining industry, the 2026 Prospect Awards have officially opened nominations for 2026.
The country’s premier program recognising excellence, innovation and leadership across the resources sector is set to return on 16 September in a new location.
This year, the prestigious awards gala will be held in Perth at Fraser’s Kings Park, offering a premium setting for industry leaders, innovators and professionals from across the mining and resources sector to connect and celebrate the achievements shaping the future of Australian mining.
“The Prospect Awards have long celebrated the individuals, projects and innovations shaping the future of Australia’s mining industry. As the awards move from Adelaide to Perth, we’re excited to bring the event to the heart of Australia’s mining sector and continue recognising excellence across the industry,” Prime Creative Media head of awards and conferences Caitlyn Douglas said.
Alongside its move to a new location, the 2026 awards program will introduce a range of new categories designed to better reflect the evolving landscape of Australia’s mining and resources sector.
2026 Prospect Award Categories:
- Community Engagement
- Digital Transformation
- Discovery of the Year
- Education & Training Program of the Year
- Emerging Miner of the Year
- Engineering Success of the Year
- Excellence in Autonomous Operations
- Excellence in FIFO Workforce Experience
- Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S
- Excellence in Mine Site Rehabilitation & Closure
- Excellence in Mineral Processing
- First Nations Engagement
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Mining Contractor of the Year
- Mining Leader of the Year
- Outstanding Mine Performance
- Rising Star
- Safety Advocate of the Year
- Sustainability Innovation
- Australian Mine of the Year – This category is not open for nomination
“With the industry continuing to evolve and expand, it made sense for the 2026 program to grow alongside it and create even more opportunities for the sector,” Douglas said.
All mining and resources professionals across Australia are invited to submit nominations now through the Prospect Awards website. Nomination criteria and full category descriptions are also available on the website.
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