Obituary Charles Dudley Robbins, Jr.

Charles D. Robbins, a well- known mining developer and promoter, died recently at Beloeil, Que., at age 65.

He came to Canada from Maine in 1952, and after a short period with a brokerage firm in Montreal, entered the mine development and promotion field. His first venture was Blackhawk Gold Mines, a gold prospect in Bellechasse Cty., Que. He then took Blackhawk into the state of Maine to explore for base and precious metals. During that period he developed the Blue Hill copper-zinc deposit and turned it over to Denison Mines for financing to production. He also put together a number of properties which are the basis for the large tonnage, low grade, lead-zinc-silver deposit of Scintillore Explorations there.

“Charlie” carried out financing and development for numerous junior mining companies in Canada over a period of 35 years, and can be regarded as one of the more successful mining promoters of this era. He was unusual in that he spent a considerable amount of his time in the bush assessing and acquiring properties and taking an active part in the supervision of exploration. He “lived and breathed” the exploration business.

Among his more successful ventures was Silverstack Mines, which company owned 50% of what is now the Doyon Mine of Lac Minerals in northwestern Quebec. He financed and carried out the initial drilling on that property in conjunction with Soquem (Quebec Government exploration arm), prior to dealing the company to Lac which carried it through to production.

Another producing gold mine which he financed and developed in its early stages was the MacLellan Mine at Lynn Lake, Man., owned by SherrGold Inc.

In recent years he promoted and financed a number of junior companies, including Goldstack, Achates, Diana, Fancamp and Fort Rupert Resources.

His vitality, enthusiasm, and generosity will be much missed by those who knew him. He leaves his wife, Lucille, and son James Bruce of Beloeil, Que., and son Charles Dudley of Salt Lake City, and daughter Sarah of Bath, Maine.