Elliot Lake turns 50

The town of Elliot Lake is celebrating its 50th anniversary and I was there when things first started rolling.

A few years ago, I chronicled these events in a series of columns for The Northern Miner titled “The History of Elliot Lake: Early Exploration and Development.”

For those of you who are not familiar with Elliot Lake, the city was once the uranium capital of the world. In the early 1950s, the Cold War preoccupied most people, especially the U.S. government, which had no substantial quantities of uranium for its nuclear arms.

The price per pound of mined and milled uranium varied from mine to mine under contract, depending on feasibility studies, but the U.S. effectively underwrote each one. This virtually assured each mining company of attaining production and securing a viable operation.

Elliot Lake mines evolved from the Beaverlodge camp, where, prior to 1949, the federal government forbade any uranium exploration, with the exception of Eldorado Nuclear, a Crown corporation with operating mines in both Beaverlodge and the Great Bear Lake areas.

The uranium boom also provided experience and know-how, over a period of two to three years, for people who were part of the early stages of exploration and development of the Blind River and Elliot Lake mines. This process was spearheaded by Franc Joubin, in particular, followed by Harry Buckles, myself and Dr. Earl Gillanders, among others. Coincidentally, Life magazine, in its heyday, published a feature written by assistant editor Bill Brinkley titled “Fabulous Blind River, Richest Uranium Field.”

It should be noted that the major mines in the Elliot Lake area were in the shaft-sinking stage at the time. Ground access was limited and restricted to 4-wheel-drive transportation. I accompanied Brinkley during his visit in May 1955. Brinkley remarked that on all his travels throughout the world, the people he had met at Elliot Lake were among the most interesting — quite a complement, really.

Elliot Lake was significant for various reasons, but never before in the history of mining in Canada had so many mines been brought into production in such a short period of time.

A visit to Elliot Lake for this historic occasion should be of interest to those in mining. The city and the area have been referred to as a “jewel in the wilderness.” Apart from the natural beauty, there is a golf course, beaches, fishing, and boating. And, as many readers may know, the Lester B. Pearson building hosts the secondary Canadian Mining Hall of Fame and Mining Museum.

Of importance are the many festivities that are being arranged for various occasions throughout the summer and extending well into the fall.

Elliot Lake Anniversary Events Calendar

– Unveiling of the miners’ monument on Home Lake, Sept. 1

– Elliot Lake Birthday Bash, Sept. 2-5

– United Steel Workers reunion, Sept. 10-11

– A re-enactment of the original staking bee that effectively launched Elliot Lake 50 years ago (planned for September)

– A Rio Algom employee reunion (planned for October)

– A re-enactment of the masquerade ball originally hosted by the miners of Elliot Lake in their heyday (planned for October)

For further information, call Darla Hennessey at (705) 848-2830, or visit www.cityofelliotlake.com

— The author is a retired vice-president of exploration with American Barrick and worked in the Elliot Lake camp in the 1950s.