Editor’s Note KIDD AT 25

This issue of The Northern Miner Magazine was a treat to prepare. First, I spent one long, lively, illuminating afternoon interviewing (if that’s the appropriate word) Falconbridge’s colorful chief, Bill James. This fellow is not your typical ceo. He operates with refreshing candor and at a wattage that’s as awesome as it is infectious.

As head of Falconbridge, James oversees the Kidd Creek operation. Which brings us to the second reason that this issue was such a pleasure to work on. The birth of Kidd Creek (a.k.a., the Texas Gulf discovery) was spectacular. Clothed in the innocence of nature, the new child was immediately beset by custody squabbles and family wrangles. Would-be parents launched lawsuits, and the whole affair bred a circus-like atmosphere. Fortunately, the youngster was spared lasting harm and today is 25 years old.

To mark the anniversary, we present a profile of its current chief, a peek at Kidd Creek’s colorful past, and a detailed description of the mining of the deposit. For the purposes of context, you’ll find data and information, though in less detail, on the extraction methods used at other prominent base metal mines. The mines were chosen primarily for the insight they might offer on their use of bulk mining methods. Included in this (admittedly incomplete) survey of bulk mining in Canada are such venerable producers as Noranda Inc.’s Geco mine, Cominco Ltd.’s Sullivan operation, Westmin Ltd.’s Myra Falls, B.C., mine and a sampling of nickel miners.

Also within these pages, there is a study on rockbursts conducted by Dr. David Hedley of the Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (canmet), a fascinating glimpse into the Montcalm deposit and our usual lineup of regular contributors.

All in all, it should make for interesting summertime reading. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did putting it together. — 30 —