OBITUARY: Igor Levental – mining sage with deep passion for arts and learning

The mining universe has lost not only a wise and generous leader, but also a true renaissance man.  

Igor Levental, president of The Electrum Group and director of Novagold Resources and Gatos Silver, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on June 10. Igor’s mining career spanned more than 30 years, where he held numerous board and senior roles and was actively involved in many of our industry’s more notable deals and development projects. 

For those of us who had the good fortune to spend time in his company — and there were many, as Igor went out of his way to make time for people — we quickly saw that this was a rare individual. His depth of knowledge, not only about mining but also cinema, opera, music, books, and pretty much any other subject that could arise, was matched only by his friendliness, humility and incredible sense of humour.

He was also a keen student of mining history, and was for myself a great source for background and colour about some of the liveliest people and most important deals in our industry’s long history. 

Dr. Thomas Kaplan, Novagold’s chairman, wrote a worthy tribute to Igor entitled “Onwards and Upwards: A Tribute to a Cherished Friend, Igor Levental.” Out of the many strong memories, this one in particular stands out: 

Among so many wonderful vignettes, on one especially memorable occasion, while serving as my plus-one for the screening of a Woody Allen movie, I introduced him to the virtuoso artist. I left them alone, and when I returned found Igor and Woody deeply immersed in the nuances of Ingmar Bergman’s character studies. This epitomized the quintessential Igor, and my eyes are brimming from this image. Reminiscing upon it now, I last said goodbye to Igor in Salt Lake City in May with my planting a big parting kiss on his forehead — a tradition we maintained for years. He chuckled, and his smile was beatific.

Igor was a positive force in life, and in our industry. We were indeed very fortunate to benefit from that force in innumerable ways, both small and large. 

Our deepest condolences go to his family, his wife Jessica Levental, sons Casey, Misha and Misha’s wife Evan, and Igor’s father Mr. Genady Levental.

We will do our part to let Igor live on by acting with integrity, thoughtfulness and attentiveness towards those around us, and in doing so he will continue to enhance this industry through us. 

Contributions in Igor’s memory can be made to Hillel 818, Panthera, or the Colorado Mining Association Education Foundation.