Edward Chee-Ping Mark, former chief metallurgist with Rio Algom, has died. He was 69.
Born and raised in a small village in China, Mr. Mark emigrated to Canada in 1954 to attend university. He graduated from Nova Scotia Technical College in 1959 with a degree in chemical engineering.
He was part of the team that re-activated the uranium mines in Elliot Lake, and also helped develop the Vauze and Poirier base metal mines in Quebec and the Anglo Rouyn base metals mine in Saskatchewan. He also helped develop the innovative gravity separation process for the East Kemptville tin mine in Nova Scotia.
Later, Mark developed and tested biological heap leaching at the Cerro Colorado copper mine in Chile. At the time, it was the largest operation of its kind in the world.
Mark retired from Rio Algom in 1997, but even after retirement he contributed to the process development at the Antamina mine in Peru.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children.
Pierre Sonnendrucker
Pierre Sonnendrucker, an expatriate French geological engineer and former general manager of SEREM (Societ d’tudes de recherches et d’exploitations miniers), a subsidiary of BRGM (Bureau de recherches geologiques et miniers), has passed away. He was 72.
In 1954, Sonnendrucker graduated at top of his class in geological engineering from the cole Nationale de Gologie de Nancy. After completing his military service, he embarked on his long career in mineral exploration.
He took a position as a field geologist exploring for molybdenum in the Tiessou area, near Ivory Coast, in 1957. He later searched for other base metals and gold there, and authored a study entitled Synthese sur l’or de Cte d’Ivoire.
In 1969, he moved to Vancouver, B.C., to search for base metals — initially copper and molybdenum in southern British Columbia and later lead-zinc in the Mackenzie Mountains along the border with the Yukon.
Later, in the mid-1970s, he helped develop the Tambo Grande volcanogenic massive sulphide project in Peru. He went onto participate in BRGM’s activities in Mexico, from 1978 to 1982. At around this time, Sonnendrucker was appointed technical manager of an exploration mission to Saudi Arabia.
Sonnendrucker retired from BRGM in 1987, after finishing up his career as deputy director for mining affairs in North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey and Iran.
His family has set up a memorial fund for geology students in his name at the University of British Columbia.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and three children.
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