LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Golden Bear gold mine continues in

The article “Troubled past is no longer an albatross around Golden Bear’s neck” (T.N.M., Sept. 20/93) did not mention Wheaton River Minerals, which owns 85% of North American Metals, owner of the Golden Bear mine in British Columbia. An excellent article the preceding week did make this point.

The ending of the Sept. 20 article seems to indicate that the mine has been closed. The problem is that some people did not read the first article, and we have received calls from individuals who think the mine is closed. In fact, it is operating at a higher rate than ever before.

I would like to make a second point, regarding the Golden Bear mine. While the article says the fortunes of former owner Homestake Mining were not positive, it fails to give credit to the company for its perseverance and dedication to the mine. A small company would have gone bankrupt several times over had it faced what Homestake did, and yet Homestake stuck with it. The article mentions numerous cost overruns but fails to mention the emphasis Homestake gave to the Tahltan First Nation (through operating contracts) and to the environment. Golden Bear could be used as an environmental model for mining anywhere in the world. I recently visited another Homestake operation and the same could be said for it.

As for the metallurgical problems encountered, Homestake solved these through sheer tenacity. Recoveries now average 93%. I should point out that many of the final improvements came during the period in which we were negotiating to buy the mine, highlighting the integrity of Homestake, which stuck by its commitments made during the negotiations.

V.V. Jutronich

President

Wheaton River Minerals

Toronto