b'PeopleNewsKathy Ehrig receives inaugural AGC Roy Woodall MedalAfter several failed attempts related toDr Kathy Ehrig received a BSc in geologythat predict mineral abundances the pandemic, the Australian Geosciencefrom California State University, Fresnobased on drill core assays. Her work Council (AGC) was finally able to makein 1984 and a PhD in geology fromprovided the conceptual framework that a formal presentation of its prestigiousthe University of California, Berkeleysupported BHPs recent Oak Dam West Roy Woodall Medal (https://www.agc. in 1991. She began her career as adiscovery. At Yeelirrie Dr Ehrig developed org.au/geoscience-in-australia/roy- Geological Technician with the Unitedthe metallurgical performance predictors woodall-medal) at the Copper to theStates Navy in 1974, then went on tofor a calcrete-hosted uranium deposit World Conference in Adelaide on Augustwork with WMC and, later, BHP Billitonand built the worlds first clay mineral 31 2021. A highlight of the presentationas Principal Geometallurgist at Olympicmodel for an entire deposit, which to inaugural winner, Dr Kathy Ehrig ofDam. Her accomplishments at Olympicinvolved innovative adaptation of BHP, was the presence of Roys widowDam have included leading the teamexisting technology.Barbara, who spoke about Roys rolethat developed the geometallurgical in the inception of this award and hismodels and metallurgical performanceDr Ehrig is a particularly fitting inaugural mentorship of Kathy. All in all, this was apredictors for the entire Olympic Damwinner of the Roy Woodall Medal very moving ceremony, coming as it diddeposit, establishing the mineralogicalbecause she was personally recruited only a few months after Roys death. relationship between sulphideby Roy Woodall to WMC Resources from mineralogy and concentrate grade, andUniversity of California, Berkeley, and was The Roy Woodall Medal seeks todeveloping quantitative relationshipsmentored by Roy for many years.recognise scientific excellence in both mineral exploration and the documentation of world-class mineral deposits. It honours the extensive contribution to scientific excellence in mineral geoscience that the late Roy Woodall AO made over his lifetime. Roy Woodalls high scientific standards, innovative approach to exploration and use of the latest geoscientific techniques have left an enormous and lasting legacy of improved scientific methodologies and exploration successes. The WMC team under Roys leadership made many world class discoveries in Australia, several of which opened up entire new mineral provinces. The most notable of these include the Darling Range Bauxite Province, the Kambalda Nickel District, the Olympic Dam Copper-Gold-Uranium deposit and the St Ives Gold Camp. More importantly than even these discoveries, Roys dedication to the training and mentorship of other geoscientists has advanced the capabilities of Australias mining and exploration industries and the development of our nation.The intention of this award is to recognise those individuals that seek to emulate Roys contribution to the mineral industry by applying the best science to the endeavours of mineral exploration and the documentation of world-class mineral deposits. In addition, the award intends to encourage the ethos of scientific excellence that Roy so strongly advocated. Dr Kathy Ehrig receives her award from Barbara Woodall, the widow of Roy Woodall.15 PREVIEW OCTOBER 2021'