Prospectors play a big role in young Mining Hall of Fame

While there’s quite a difference in their ages, a strong bond has quickly developed between the veteran Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the much younger upstart–the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Indeed the PDA as it was then known, was one of the first of a number of mining oriented organizations to enthusiastically endorse an off-the-cuff suggestion that the mining industry form its own Hall of Fame. And it put money where its mouth is. For along with three other sponsors–The Mining Association of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and The Northern Miner–they provided the seed funding that launched the project to a splendid start.

The sponsors themselves were somewhat surprised at the rapid and enthusiastic acceptance with which the mining fraternity greeted the new CMHF, which now embraces 15 coast-to-coast mining related associations. A record 588 mining enthusiasts sat down at the recent 3rd annual Induction Banquet at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel.

But little wonder the Prospector’s organization so readily threw its support behind this Hall of Fame, for it opens a national vehicle to pay rightful homage to some of its own leaders. And that is exactly what happened, for the initial induction ceremony saw no less than four prospectors admitted–Karl Springer (one of the PDA founders), Murray Watts, H.H. `Spud’ Huestis and Gilbert LaBine.

And the following year saw veteran prospector Alex Mosher, another of the PDA’s founders, inducted. This year saw mining’s `Queen Bee’, Viola MacMillan whose very name is synonymous with the growth of the PDAC inducted.

Over my lengthy association (42 years) with this paper, I got to know all of these individuals personally, and feel strongly that the Canadian mining industry would be more vibrant today if only we had more of their ilk at the helm. Only three of these inductees are alive today–strong and enthusiastic supporters of the CMHF.

The following thumbnail sketches highlight the achievements that won these prospector-inductees their admission: Huestis-whose dogged persistence led to the development of the first porphyry copper production in Canada, including B.C.’s huge Highland Valley Copper operation, one of the largest rock moving operations on the face of the globe.

LaBine-shaped the course of world history with his discovery of pitchblende (uranium ore) at Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories in 1930.

MacMillan-in addition to her lead role in putting the PDAC on its feet as a major national mining organization, she chalked up an enviable record as a mine finder, developer and financier. Too, she was instrumental in recently raising some $7 million to purchase the fabulous Pinch mineral collection as a gift to all Canadians, to be housed in what will be known as the Viola MacMillan Gallery in the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa.

Mosher-a Cobalter from a renowned family of miners and prospectors, he made important discoveries that led to mines in the Pickle Lake, Geraldton, Matachewan and Yellowknife areas, and played the lead role in the development of the Griffith iron mine near Red Lake and the Chimo gold mine in Quebec.

Springer-another highly successful mine finder whose name is closely associated with such ventures as Leitch, Highland-Bell, Mattagami Lake, Granduc, Barymin, Canada Tungsten and Newfoundland Zinc mines.

Watts-another adventurous Cobalt-born prospector best known for his work in the Arctic where he discovered rich iron deposits on Baffin Island, the Coppermine deposits in the N.W.T., nickel and asbestos deposits in Ungava and a major fluorite-tin-tungsten deposit in a remote section of Alaska.

As yet the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame has no permanent home. Rather, it consists of a mobile display unit which is shipped to major mining events across Canada, together with give-away booklets detailing the accomplishments of the 28 inductees to date. We have already received requests that our display be shown at six mining functions, including this week’s PDAC convention in Toronto.

But down the line, when funding becomes more available, it is confidently expected that a permanent home will be acquired.

Ideally, this would include a mining museum and library, some items for which are already under accumulation.

Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury and Cobalt have already been proposed as a possible local, but until there is an upturn in the economic climate, no early decision in the above regard is likely.

In addition to the six prospectors already ensconced in our CMHF, 22 other legendary mining greats have been inducted: 1989

Pierre Beauchemin

Frederick Connell

Duncan Derry

Franc Joubin

Thayer Lindsley

James Y. Murdoch

Stephen Roman

Jules Timmins 1990

Hector Authier

Selwyn Blaylock

John Bradfield

Eldon Brown

William F. James

Norman Keevil Sr.

Robert Stanley 1991

Randolph Diamond

Jack Hammell

Albert Koffman

John MacIsaac

Ralph Parker

Norman Pearce

Richard Pearce

John Simpson How many of these are you aware of, and what’s their claim to fame? Maurice (Mort) Brown is Chairman of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame and Publisher Emeritus of The Northern Miner.