OTTAWA, August 22, 2025 – The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is pleased to announce that Xavier Chagnon has been awarded the 2025 Paul Stothart Memorial Scholarship in Mineral Economics. This annual scholarship recognizes the work being done by some of Canada’s most innovative minds pursuing advanced degrees in business administration or economics.
“Each year, we are impressed by the caliber of entries received from individuals across Canada who are in the midst of their studies and who have exciting ideas that will help our sector continue making essential contributions for the benefit all Canadians,” said Pierre Gratton, MAC’s President and CEO. “These students represent the best of the best, and this year we are excited to recognize the work of Xavier Chagnon. Xavier’s background in mining engineering, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions, combined with his leadership in industry organizations like Young Mining Professionals, gives him a distinctive perspective on the financial, operational, and governance considered essential to a sustainable and competitive minerals industry. His passion for the sector makes him an ideal recipient of this year’s scholarship.”
Since its inception in 2012, MAC and its members have awarded the Paul Stothart Memorial Scholarship to support the educational endeavours of students committed to advancing the Canadian mining industry and who show a passion for the minerals sector.
“Being awarded the Paul Stothart Memorial Scholarship reinforces my aspiration to pursue a career that combines technical and economic perspectives, from my first mining engineering classes to my current MBA studies,” said Xavier Chagnon, who is pursuing his MBA at HEC Montréal. “MAC’s support represents a meaningful encouragement to continue down this path as I progress in my career. The mining sector has offered me exceptional professional and personal opportunities, and I hope to encourage others to discover just how rewarding a career in mining can be.”
The mining industry is a major sector of Canada’s economy, contributing $125 billion to the national GDP and is responsible for 22 percent of Canada’s total domestic exports. Canada’s mining sector employs 665,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses.
ABOUT MAC
The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca.
ABOUT THE PAUL STOTHART MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN MINERAL ECONOMICS
In 2012, MAC and its members established the Paul Stothart Memorial Scholarship following the passing of its valued colleague, Paul Stothart. Paul was an accomplished professional who was committed to advancing the Canadian mining industry in his role as MAC’s Vice President of Economic Affairs, which he held from 2006 to 2012. This $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year to Bachelor or Master of Economics, or Master of Business Administration (MBA) students enrolled in a Canadian university, who demonstrate an interest in mineral economics and showcase a similar passion for a rewarding career in the Canadian mining and metals sector.
For more information:
Photinie Koutsavlis
Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change
Mining Association of Canada
Mobile: 613.327.1393
Email: Photinie.Koutsavlis@mining.ca
