Remembering two BC pioneers

When I think of exploring for minerals in this country, I am always reminded of two people whom I deeply respected and admired: Bill Kuhn and Joe Feeney.

Kuhn was a venturesome, reconnaissance-type prospector, whereas Feeney was of the detail-oriented, rock-breaking breed. However, both men were keen and conscientious, and both loved spending time in the field.

When I first met Kuhn, he was involved with Ken White and Transcontinental Resources in the Taku area of British Columbia. It did not take me long to recognize Kuhn’s talents. His eyes, mind and interest were always directed toward the province’s mountains and valleys.

Kuhn ventured into the Revelstoke area, around Mount Copeland, on behalf of a group with whom I was involved. However, over the following winter, he convinced us to send him on a general reconnaissance trip in the Toodoggone region in north-central B.C. My clients offered him carte blanche, along with a floatplane and pilot to explore to his heart’s content. It was Kuhn’s first foray into Toodoggone, and his efforts did not bear any fruit. However, he made plans for a general survey of the adjacent Turnagain region for the following season. This time around, that keen mind and observant eye located some tungsten minerals, which encouraged my clients.

Kuhn also uncovered a high-grade silver vein, which he staked for the syndicate. These discoveries encouraged my group to finance Kuhn’s ventures in the same area for a further three seasons. Over this period, he added substantially to the tungsten projects and conducted detailed exploration on the silver showing. Unfortunately, Kuhn and his sponsors soon parted ways, and he perished a few years later while on a venture in the Stikine district.

Now, Joe Feeney and I first met at the Emerald mine, near Salmo, where H.L. Batten retained him to explore for mineralization on the Iron Mountain claims. Feeney prospected that mountain in meticulous detail. He made hundreds of surveys and broke tons of rock. Each day, he conferred with Harold Lakes, the geologist, on his observations, and Batten listened to Feeney with the deepest interest and encouragement. Feeney finally convinced Batten and Placer Development to conduct a major surface drilling program over the Jersey claims and on the adjacent tungsten zone. The results were spectacular in that Placer ventured into lead-zinc production on the Jersey and greatly expanded the tungsten operation.

I learned a little of Feeney’s story during this period. He came to the west with the discovery of high-grade silver in the Dolly Varden area of Alice Arm, B.C. He was deeply attracted to the majestic Coastal Mountains and the magnificent western coastline. The mineral potential and developments in the British Columbia convinced Feeney to make the west his home. He built a fine house in the Caribou area and continued his exploration activities around the province. Feeney did not become wealthy from his ventures, though he once told me he received rewards each day he was out in the mountains.

Canada’s mineral exploration industry grew and prospered as a result of the passion and hard work of people like Bill Kuhn and Joe Feeney.

— The author, a retired mining engineer, resides in Vancouver B.C.