EDITORIAL PAGE (November 25, 1991)

“Natural resources account for one dollar in every five of the wealth generated by primary and secondary industries in this country. When we consider productivity of workers in Canada’s manufacturing sector, it is clear why manufacturing is faltering in this country. A recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development showed that from March, 1990, to March, 1991, Canada recorded the biggest decreases among 24 nations in the number of jobs in manufacturing, construction and the services sector.

In the current business climate, those manufacturing facilities and business sectors which are tied to our natural resource industries have the best chance of surviving.”

From a brief presented by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada to the 48th Mines Ministers Conference in Halifax.

Every few months, it seems, there comes an “area play” in mineral exploration. They can start with a geological theory, a drill hole discovery or access to new territory. They can be brief and fizzle out quickly or they can lead to economically important mining operations, but they are almost always exciting.

There’s one area play developing, however, that has something else going for it — its desirable location. It may not be prompting a staking rush, and the stock markets are certainly not turning cartwheels over it, but it is intriguing nonetheless.

We are referring to a flurry of companies that have picked up ground in Jamaica, the Caribbean island better known for its beautiful beaches and idyllic climate than for its mining potential.

That’s not to say that potential doesn’t exist. Bauxite mining, of course, has a long tradition on the island and there is a history of gold mining. But regardless of what the future holds for mining in Jamaica, we have no doubt that companies that are working on the island will insist that their board of directors see, first hand, how their projects are progressing. And we suspect those visits, difficult though the hours of travel might be for the Canadian-based directors, would be most productive in January, February or March.

It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

In the world of sports, when worthy adversaries compete, it is unfortunate that only one can emerge as winner. When both sides, be they individuals or teams, strive to fulfil their potential by using their skills to the maximum of their ability, it somehow seems inappropriate that only one can be rewarded.

So it is with the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Although the choice is not a competition, each year the Hall’s board of directors must decide which nominees will be inducted and which will have to wait. There are 16 names put forward this year, but only eight will be honored at 1992’s induction banquet in early January.

That, of course, is the nature of the award. It is a select group who receives the honor, and the value of the honor is enhanced by its rarity. If every individual nominated could be accepted, the honor would not carry the same prestige.

The board’s task is not an easy one. The 16 names put forward this year are all worthy candidates. Will the board, for example, turn down the name of James Boylen, one of the country’s greatest mine makers and the driving force behind the discovery and development of Brunswick Mining and Smelting? Or will Sir William Logan, the founder 150 years ago of the Geological Survey of Canada which has provided so much of the data necessary to develop the country’s mineral production — about $41 billion dollars worth in 1990 — have to wait another year?

The analogy to sports is insufficient. These Hall of Fame candidates are not adversaries whose goal is to entertain. Nominees for the Hall of Fame have all achieved results that have improved the lives of millions of people, in Canada and abroad. It is impossible to distinguish “winners” from “losers.” To be considered a candidate to join this pantheon is, perhaps, honor enough.