These awards recognise professional excellence demonstrated by any resources sector professional (individual or group) for significant contributions to the development and/or application of professional knowledge and practice and/or leadership. These awards were added to the AusIMM awards program in 2016, building upon a tradition of specialist professional excellence awards.

These awards may be presented to resources sector professionals working in any discipline(s) or field(s), at any career stage and working for any type of organisation within the resources or related sectors. Disciplines or fields that may be recognised include but are not limited to engineering, health and safety, technical innovation, community and environment, metallurgy, geosciences, consulting and leadership.

Where a successful nomination relates to Health and Safety, the award presented will be the Jim Torlach Award. This award was created in 2001 in honour of James (Jim) Torlach, a long standing AusIMM member dedicated to the pursuit of Health and Safety professional excellence. The award recognises AusIMM members who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the enhancement of health and safety ln the industry.

Where a successful nomination relates to Consulting, the award presented will be the Charles Marshall Award. This award was created in 2018 in honour of Charles Marshall, a long standing AusIMM member dedicated to the pursuit of Consulting professional excellence. The award recognises AusIMM members who, as consultants, have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the resources sector as Chartered Professionals who are respected in the industry and have embodied and reinforced sound and ethical consulting behaviour.