Co-Founders of Hunter Dickinson Inc. Inducted into Canadian Mining Hall of Fame

VANCOUVER, Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI) is proud to announce that Robert Hunter and Robert Dickinson were inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame on January 12, 2012, in a gala ceremony in recognition of their outstanding lifetime achievements in mineral exploration and mining. They join a select group of prominent and respected leaders from the minerals industry who represent the very best of Canadian mining and its accomplishments.

Mr. Hunter and Mr. Dickinson co-founded HDI more than 25 years ago, forming an entrepreneurial business that has led to the development of one of the most successful teams in Canadian mining history. Today, HDI is a diversified, global mining group that has advanced mineral projects in Canada and around the world. The HDI track record of success includes 19 public and private companies, and dozens of mineral properties on six continents. Notable projects within the HDI fold include Mount Milligan, Kemess and Prosperity in BC, Pebble in Alaska and Xietongmen in China.

Both Mr. Hunter and Mr. Dickinson have been recognized by industry and business for their exceptional contributions to the Canadian and international minerals industry. Awards received include the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's Developer of the Year (1990), Mining Association of BC's Mining Industry Person of the Year (2000), Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® (2004) and PDAC's Thayer Lindsley International Discovery (2007).

From 1985 to 1990, HDI founded three companies - North American Metals, Continental Gold and El Condor Resources - with projects that would go on to become major hard rock mines. These include Golden Bear (operated 1989-2001), Kemess (operated 2000-2011) and Mount Milligan (construction commenced in 2010).

Current companies associated with HDI include Amarc Resources, Curis Resources, Heatherdale Resources, Northcliff Resources, Northern Dynasty Minerals, Quartz Mountain Resources, Rathdowney Resources and Taseko Mines.

Companies that achieved mineral exploration and development success with HDI - including Great Basin Gold, Detour Gold, Rockwell Diamonds and Anooraq Resources - are now independently managed. Other successful HDI associated companies were Farallon Mining Ltd. which was acquired by Nyrstar NV in January 2011 in an all cash transaction valued at C$409 million and Continental Minerals Corporation, which was acquired by the Jinchuan Mining Group in April 2011 in a transaction valued at C$432 million.

Currently, HDI and associated companies are active around the globe with projects and operations in five countries on three continents and a cumulative market capitalization of more than $2.1 billion.

As Bob Dickinson recounted upon receiving the award, "Bob and I did have many successes together. But how did the Bob and Bob show, as George Cross called us - how did we morph over time to the success that is now Hunter Dickinson Inc.? A team of 130 people, committed to the discovery and development of mines - with the creation of companies that currently employ over 7000 people at sites around the globe.

"I think where we excelled was the ability to attract and fully embrace skilled and creative partners and people to the team," said Mr. Dickinson. "The partners that joined us had the same passion for success, but each brought a different skill. Skills that gelled together into the miracle which is HDI."

About Hunter Dickinson Inc.

Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI) is a diversified, global mining group with more than 25 years of mineral development success. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral properties that provide consistently superior returns to shareholders.

SOURCE Hunter Dickinson Services Inc.