Glib one-liners reveal shallow view of others’ efforts

What a dizzying assortment of one-liners there has been over the last century. Generally short in their effect, directives such as the following have tended to steer some of us in a particular direction or have influenced our way of doing business: “Never give the suckers an even break,” “The only lines that count are the bottom line and the finish line” and “A hero is a sandwich you buy in New York.”

I am sure that, with a moment’s thought, many more portable compasses would spring to mind. However, for me, a recurrent observation over more than a few years in the mining business is that individuals with the cynical sharp wit are not those who are honored in the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

They are not the people noted for their longevity in the industry. If there has been financial success, the benefit has usually been very restricted, and personal rather than corporate or community.

If success is measured in terms of respect accorded an individual by his or her peers, if it is assessed in terms of an individual’s contribution to others, then, in my view, the mining industry is characterized by a legion of successful people.

Nine such people were honored Jan. 7 by being inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, it is not difficult to think of many other people who have selflessly shared their abilities and opportunities to make our working lives pleasant and meaningful.

We all have our own lists, but let me mention a few to illustrate a point. How about the late Jim Harrison, who did so much to build a great Geological Survey? Or Don Worth, who has quietly made things happen for so many? Then there are Art Soregaroli and Dirk Templemen- Kluit, who have both climbed metaphorical and physical mountains.

A common factor among these four professional colleagues is their involvement in co-ordinated groups working for the improvement of our industry — the CIM, GAC, AEG and PDAC.

Then there are others in MAC, in provincial prospecting and mining associations, and probably in service clubs and churches as well. The characteristics demonstrated by these people — of being involved and working for others — have given quality to our existence.

On the other side of the coin, there are people who have enjoyed the spotlight of success or sensation through corporate, career or character assassination. Such success is inevitably brief and transitory.

The last decade appears to have had more of these kinds of successes than in earlier years. The term “the greedy 80s” has been used a number of times. Indeed, in mid-1989, the Financial Post featured an article under the headline “CIBC head claims greed led to crises.” Greed will never disappear; in moderation the stimulus that it creates may be useful.

Yet tough times also tend to bring out the fundamental good in many people and, with gains less easy, the ruthless opportunists become less evident. Our very survival depends on co-operation and care for each other.

Dare we hope that, in the next few years, we will see fewer hostile corporate takeovers? Can we envisage a time when there will be less winning of orebodies in the courts than at the drill sites, when there will be fewer poison pill strategies developed? Will we no longer hear about claim disputes based on a 3 3/4″ post rather than a 4″ post? Will people be treated like human beings and less like disposable diapers or plastic cups?

Shall we forget the line “What have you done for me lately?”

There is no doubt that a black bottom line is necessary. But perhaps one-liners tell only half the story. It is not only the bottom line that counts. Just as important in the equation is the process, the “smelling the roses along the way,” and the way in which the game is played.

For those many people who have worked without thought of self on behalf of our industry in order to help us adjust to society’s pressures and to co-operatively develop rules by which we can work more effectively, I feel respect and appreciation.005 0000,0906 Robert M. Ginn is the president of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.