Obituary William Harvey Gross

One of Canada’s most famous economic geologists, William Harvey Gross, has died. Dr. Gross, who was born in New Westminster, B.C., in 1917, first became interested in mining while working as a mucker in the Bralorne mine in 1935. Following completion of an undergraduate degree in geology from the University of British Columbia in 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After completing his tour of duty as a Lancaster bomber pilot in Europe, he enrolled into the graduate program at the University of Toronto, earning both an M.A. and Ph.D. degree.

Combining both an active consulting and teaching career, Dr Gross practised his profession throughout the world, travelling to Africa, South America and across Canada and the U.S. His work culminated in his finest discovery which ultimately led to the birth of Lacana Mining Corp.

During his research of silver in 1960, Dr Gross became convinced that the metal would rise in price. This belief led to the formation of Pure Silver Mining in 1966. In the following year Pure Silver took a gamble on the Guanajuato area of Mexico — one of the world’s richest silver-producing areas. Working on a geological theory concerning a possible deep faulted offset of the Veta Madre silver vein, Pure Silver acquired a large land position.

Dr Gross’s theory was proven in convincing fashion when, 1,500-ft below the surface, the first drill on the property cut a 33.3-ft section of vein grading 17 oz silver per ton. The discovery eventually led to the creation of Lacana Mining Corp. — today a $100-million company engaged in mineral production and exploration in North America. Dr Gross remained chairman of Lacana until its reorganization last year.

In recognition of his achievements and contributions to the field of economic geology, the Mineral Deposits Section of the Geological Association of Canada inaugurated a new award — the William Harvey Gross Medal — which will recognize the contribution of a professional geologist to the field.

In addition to holding fellowship in the Geological Association of Canada, Dr Gross was also a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and the Geological Society of America. He also held membership in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Professional Engineers Association of Ontario, the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, the Engineers Club of Toronto, the National Club, the Rosedale Golf Club, the Lyford Cay Club in Nassau and the Atlantic Golf Club in Florida.

Dr Gross leaves his wife Shirley, sons Stephen and John, daughter- in-law Martha and three grandchildren.