ODDS’N’SODS — The Jogran staking rush (1)

One hears many a tall tale from obstinate prospectors who persist in their quest for gold, but none can compare with the bizarre stories one hears on June 1 of each year when, at a specific hour, lands are reopened for staking.

One of the most intriguing stories is that of the Jogran staking rush in 1979, as told to me by prospector and geologist Roy Rupert. The area in question is on the northern shore of Mamainse Lake, nestled deep in the mountains near Lake Superior. Scenic? Yes. Easily accessible? Definitely not. Mamainse Mountain, next to the lake, is the third-highest mountain in Ontario and is roughly 12 miles from the nearest road. Spring showers might bring May flowers, but they were also responsible for the washed out, muddy mountain valley logging road used for access to the area on this particular occasion. What was it that made this ground so appealing? It was only 65 acres — not even two full claims. Perhaps it was the knowledge that this area had been drilled in the 1960s and found to contain significant grades of porphyry copper with traces of molybdenum, gold and tungsten. Perhaps it was the knowledge that a small penny-stock mining company, Jogran Mines, had effectively promoted the property to a major company in the 1960s and that this company spent more than $1 million drilling and exploring the prospect. Or perhaps it was the knowledge that, in the months before June 1, the price of molybdenum soared to precious-metal levels of more than $8 per lb. On May 31, 1979, the hills at the north end of Mamainse Lake were being invaded as more than 12 people prepared to stake the area. Speed was essential because the first applicant to arrive at the mining recorder’s office after staking would be the one who would have his claim recorded. One just had to figure out the quickest way out of the most mountainous part of Ontario and how to hustle 50 miles south to the recorder’s office at Sault Ste. Marie.

Rupert, one of the interested parties, had arranged for a float aircraft to arrive at the lake at 7 a.m. on June 1 and to wait until he had finished his staking. The plan was that the plane would fly him and his helper, Peter Reid, to the St. Mary’s River in Sault Ste. Marie; and from there they would run the few hundred yards to the recorder’s office.

Rupert and Reid were counting the hours before the race would begin, acquainting themselves with the property and planning their strategy, when they heard a ruckus behind them. Moving quietly off the claim line so as not to be seen, they watched as a crew of eight men, working for Amax of Canada, walked by, discussing their plan of attack for the next morning. Their hearts sank as they watched two of the men begin to cut a helicopter pad at what was soon to be the northeast corner of the claim, the starting and finishing point. They watched and listened to the sounds of aircraft flying overhead bringing gear and tents to the men below in readiness for a hearty meal and a good night’s sleep.

Returning to their own camp, Rupert and Reid were startled to find another staker who had been hired by a third interested party to stake the ground. It was difficult to hide their dismay at being found out and, as luck would have it, interested party No. 3 wasted no time in advising the Amax crew members that they had competition.

John Gillan, the geologist in charge of the Amax crew, and John Hussey, the professional contract staker working with them, realized they now had problems. The one that bothered them most was the knowledge that their competition had arrived by road by an alternative means of transportation. Around Lake Superior — one of Canada’s great fog machines — this could turn out to be a serious problem. Gillan immediately radioed for the helicopter to take him to the road so that he could get a half-ton truck into the landing where Rupert and Reid were camped.

— The writer is the mining recorder in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. This article, which will be concluded next week, appeared in a recent issue of “Mines and Minerals Monthly Update” of Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.