The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame welcomed James E.C. Carter, Robert R. McEwen, Donald A. McLeod, William (Steve) Vaughan and John Zigarlick Jr. into its ranks on Jan. 12. The list honours and recognizes the mine finders and developers of the Canadian industry across five nomination categories, from daring exploration to technical achievements.

“The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame is proud to honour these five outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to the mining industry, both in Canada and around the world,” said Bill Roscoe, chair of the Hall of Fame, in a statement. “These individuals have played a pivotal role in the development and growth of the sector in Canada and around the world.”

Carter, the former COO of Syncrude, is an oil sands leader who helped develop the fledgling industry and the frontier town of Fort McMurray.

McEwen, chairman and chief owner of McEwen Mining, is a mining entrepreneur best known for transforming Goldcorp from a holding company into a gold-mining powerhouse and revitalizing Ontario’s Red Lake mine.

McLeod, a miner and founder of the Northair Group, developed the Brandywine and Summit gold mines in British Columbia, and made high-grade gold discoveries at the Brucejack project.

Vaughan, a corporate social responsibility advocate, is one of the best known mining lawyers in the world, who helped advance the successful globalization of the Canadian mining industry.

Zigarlick, best known for developing Echo Bay Mines Ltd., conceived and led the construction of the world’s largest winter road to service the remote Lupin gold mine 400 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 74.

This year’s induction ceremony was held for the first time at the Toronto Convention Centre before a sell-out crowd of about 1,000 guests. As in previous years, philanthropist and Franco-Nevada chairman Pierre Lassonde hosted the dinner.

A total of 177 industry professionals have been inducted into the hall of fame since it was created in 1988.

The induction ceremony was supported by diamond sponsor Hecla; dinner wine sponsor Hatch; VIP reception sponsor SNC-Lavalin, and platinum sponsors Barrick Gold, Franco Nevada, Magris, Syncrude Canada and Yamana Gold.