Netolitzky’s role at Eskay prompted PKAC award

The annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) has many highlights for the mining industry. Among them is the presentation of the PDAC’s prestigious awards, which this year went to a number of worthy recipients, including Ron Netolitzky and the successful team of Robert Dickinson and Robert Hunter. Netolitzky, 48, won the Bill Dennis Prospector of the Year award in recognition of his role in the Snip and Eskay Creek gold projects in British Columbia. Dickinson, 42, and Hunter, 62, were honored with Developers awards for their roles in the huge Mt. Milligan gold-copper project, north of Prince George, B.C.

Netolitzky, a geologist, is an Alberta native. He received a B.Sc. degree from the University of Alberta and a M.Sc. degree from the University of Calgary. He later teamed up with former Cominco Ltd. geologist Lawrence Nagy who suggested a fresh look at the Snip gold prospect in the Iskut River region. The property has since been developed into a mine by Cominco and Prime Resources Group.

Netolitzky, Nagy and associate John Toffan then joined forces with Marguerite Mackay of Stikine Resources to finance, explore and develop its key asset, Eskay Creek. Murray Pezim and geologist Chet Idziszek got involved through a subsequent joint venture, and the rest as they say, is history. The takeover of the project by two majors provided a handsome return to Stikine shareholders.

Netolitzky, still active in mining, attracts attention with Loki Gold which is earning into the Brewery Creek gold discovery in the Yukon. He lives in Victoria where he enjoys gardening and other outdoor activities.

Robert Dickinson, born and raised in Vancouver, was considering a career in forestry before he fell in love with geology. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with an honors B.Sc. degree in geology and a M.Sc. degree in finance. Dickinson’s career took on steam when he teamed up with successful mine financier, Robert Hunter, and the two went on to explore and develop the Golden Bear gold deposit near Dease Lake, B.C.

But their biggest success was with Continental Gold which explored, financed and developed the Mt. Milligan deposit acquired last year by Placer Dome. The major acquired Continental with a $182-million takeover bid to shareholders.

Dickinson lives in Lions Bay with his wife, Terri. He enjoys sports, and recently bought a condo in Whistler where he has taken up skiing as a hobby.

Hunter, a Vancouver area native, also enjoys outdoor activities, particularly fishing, and is involved in community affairs through the Lions Club. He and his wife, Shirley, have seven children and five grandchildren.