Chislett, Verbiski named PDAC’s top prospectors

In a year that saw Voisey’s Bay turn the eyes of the world’s mining industry toward Canada, it comes as little surprise that the men responsible for its discovery are being formally recognized by their peers.

Two years ago, prospectors Albert Chislett and Chris Verbiski likely had little idea the rust-colored outcrop they found on a hill near Nain, Labrador, would turn the world’s mining industry on its ear.

But Voisey’s Bay became the mining story of 1995, and for that reason the two will share the Bill Dennis Award for Prospector of the Year, to be presented March 11 in Toronto at the annual convention of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC).

The Voisey’s Bay nickel-copper-cobalt deposit is one of the most significant discoveries of this century. Total reserves, including the main Ovoid zone, the Eastern Deeps and the Western Extension, stand at 100 millions tonnes, according to some estimates.

Chislett and Verbiski reside in St. John’s, Nfld., where their company, Archean Resources, is based. Through Archean, they continue to supervise all exploration at Diamond Fields’ Labrador holdings.

(The Northern Miner named the prospectors its “Mining Men of the Year” for 1995.)

Friedland awarded

This year’s recipient of the Viola MacMillan Developer’s Award is Robert Friedland.

Since he first investigated an abandoned gold mine on his family’s tree farm in Oregon in 1979, Friedland has financed the exploration and development of hundreds of operations across the globe, not the least of which is Voisey’s Bay.

As co-chairman of Diamond Fields Resources, he played a key role in transforming the small outcrop at Voisey’s Bay into a multi-billion-dollar deal involving several majors.

Ever the entrepreneur, Friedland’s Shanghai Land Corp. is manufacturing and marketing plastic and concrete houses in China. He is also engaged in finding and developing mineral opportunities in such diverse regions as Russia, Myanmar and Zambia.

Other awards

Three other awards will be presented at the convention, including one to the Women’s Association of the Mining Industry in Canada.

n The Association will collect the Distinguished Service Award in a year that also marks its 75th anniversary. The organization is being recognized for its efforts in raising funds for student scholarships in the earth sciences.

n Mining activities and the enjoyment of parks are no longer mutually exclusive, thanks to the efforts of Westmin Resources, winner of the Environmental Award. The company’s Myra Falls operation in British Columbia’s Strathcona Park demonstrates that industrial and recreation activity in the same area is possible. The mine operates closely with park authorities to ensure that the mine’s impact on the environment is minimal.

n Prospector and entrepreneur Jean Jacques Martel will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award.

A long-time member of the PDAC, Martel served as its Quebec regional vice-president from 1965 to 1977. He is currently chairman of Explorations Minieres du Nord.