On the level (January 13, 1992)

Before closing the books on 1991, there are still a few comments from readers that I’ve failed to address, including the following letter from Westmin Resources’ project geologist Paul Lhotka, Ph.D.

“I received this chain letter on Nov. 19,” writes Lhotka. “As you will see, it has been making the rounds of the mining industry for some time: some claimed to have received it three times. Personally I think it is a colossal waste of time and money and am surprised to see that many of Canada’s top mining executives have received it and in fact have perpetrated it.” The chain letter, originated in the Netherlands, is supposed to have passed around the world at least 10 times. It reads: “The one who breaks the chain will have bad luck. Do not keep this. Do not send money. Just have your secretary make four additional copies and send to five of your friends to whom you wish luck. You will see something good happen to you within four days if the chain is not broken.”

Since Lhotka could not reach all of them to ask why they bothered with a chain letter instead of the many important issues facing the Canadian mining industry, he decided to send it to me. “Perhaps you could advocate its demise and urge the industry to get on with business and work with government instead of just harping about the current state of affairs,” he writes. “I’m sure you can find some use for this — I know 60 Minutes’ Andy Rooney would.” While I’m no Andy Rooney, here are some of the comments from the more than two dozen reply letters he encloses. I’m not disclosing their names, but many are senior executives (no ribbon clerks). That rather shocks me. And all are on corporate letterheads.

— This is one way of generating a “Who’s who and who’s where?” in the mining and exploration industry and spreading some good luck at the same time. We could all use it (Noranda Exploration).

— I can’t really believe I’m doing this (MPH Consulting Ltd.). n The rain just stopped and the sun is starting to glimmer. Surely that’s as lucky as a guy could get for the time being (Cheni Gold Mines). — We could all use a little luck (Richardson Greenshields of Canada). — As the wise mining company president once said, “I would rather have a lucky geologist than a smart geologist (Placer Dome).

— Brains don’t seem to work. Maybe this will (Placer Dome). — With so many VIPs in this chain, it is certain to bring good luck (Ivanhoe Capital).

— With all the challenges ahead in 1992, we could sure use all the luck we can get from any source (B.M.F.B.& G. Barristers & Solicitors). — Remember, the promise is for good luck. Any wild expectation of good fortune goes beyond the marvel of the unbroken golden chain. It’s luck we need so I mustn’t tempt the fickle finger of fate (Quintette Coal). — This came by before. The year 1990 saw lots of lucky events. This year I received two chains in two days (McFarland Dewey & Co. New York). — If the new Ontario Mining Act comes into force, I figured that the pedigree behind this good luck omen couldn’t be ignored (Ministry of Northern Development and Mines).

— Thank goodness the Irish have Leprechauns (Kingswood Explorations). We always welcome readers’ comments and suggestions be they good, bad or indifferent, so let’s hear from you in 1992. And let’s all wish for a turnaround in the economy in this new year, for it would have a quick and profound impact on the mining industry in this country. Indeed, if given a more favorable political climate, mining could conceivably lead any comeback.