600 gather as Hall of Fame inducts 9 mining legends

The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame awards ceremony, the industry’s annual tribute to its most distinguished citizens, just keeps on getting bigger. At the recent third annual dinner function at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel, almost 600 people gathered to witness the induction of nine new members, including the first woman, into the Hall of Fame.

Last year, about 440 attended an event which is fast becoming the biggest date on the Canadian mining calendar.

Even with the buildup, Hall of Fame Chairman Maurice Brown said he won’t be happy until the Hall has a home of its own.

“We’d like to establish something with a museum and a library that school children could go and see,” he said.

As visitors from all over North America gathered to honor this year’s inductees, the guest list read like a “who’s who” of Canadian mining. Seated at the head table was keynote speaker Alf Powis, chairman of Noranda (TSE), who was introduced to the audience by Inco (TSE) Chairman Donald Phillips.

Anthony Petrina, president of Placer Dome (TSE), was also among the head table guests, along with Southam Inc. President John Fisher, even though his flight from Vancouver was apparently delayed. Scattered throughout the room were such mining VIPs as new Denison Mines (TSE) President William James and Ontario Mines Minister Gilles Pouliot. Lionel Kilburn once again acted as master of ceremonies.

This year, the Hall of Fame committee expanded the selection criteria to include not just mine finders but also individuals who have contributed in other ways to the industry.

It enabled them to select John (J.C.) MacIsaac, Canada’s pre- eminent mining contractor, from a list of 15 nominees. Richard and Norman C. Pearce, the men who guided The Northern Miner newspaper from its early beginnings in Cobalt, Ont., to become the voice of the industry, were also inducted along with Randolph W. Diamond, John E. Hammell, Albert Koffman, Ralph Parker, John Simpson and Viola MacMillan.

As seven of the inductees were deceased and MacIsaac was too ill to attend (he died the next day), MacMillan was the only inductee to accept the medal in person. The 87-year-old former Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada president described the occasion as the happiest moment of her life.

Still active after six decades in the industry, MacMillan recently donated $1.2 million for the purchase of the $7 million William Pinch mineral collection which will be housed in a gallery named after her at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa.

Having developed the Canadian Arrow gold mine and Kam-Kotia base metal mine during 60 years in mining, MacMillan said she hopes to live long enough to see many more people inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Ida Koffman, who accepted the medal on behalf of her late husband Albert, was also pleased that he had been recognized for his contribution to the industry. “There aren’t many people around who have discovered 13 mines,” said Koffman. In a 45-year career, Koffman played a major role in the discovery of base metal mines for Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting (TSE).

With the exception of Hammell, who was selected for his contribution in harnessing the potential of aircraft to access remote discoveries, the remaining inductees were closely tied to Canada’s largest mining companies.

Diamond, who spent most of his 43-year career with Cominco (TSE), is noted for masterminding a separation technique that transformed the Sullivan mine in B.C. into Canada’s most productive lead- zinc producer.

Parker, a former senior vice- president of Inco, pioneered use of the square set system in Canada which allowed the company to recover high-grade ore from the Creighton mine in Ontario.

With Simpson as president, Placer Dome developed a global perspective that is now considered essential for any mining concern with large-scale aspirations.

“Whatever the differences in their personalities and the nature of their contribution to the industry, the 28 Hall of Fame members inducted since 1989 all share a number of characteristics,” said Powis in his “state of the industry” speech.

“They had vision and courage, a desire to challenge the unknown, perseverance, toughness and a willingness to take risks,” said Powis. “They loved the thrill of discovery and the very considerable technical and financial challenges of development.”