50 Years Ago – September, 1940

ITALIANS IN MINES MOSTLY CITIZENS

Inaccurate reports appearing in the daily newspapers have left the impression that a high proportion of Canada’s miners are Italian-born, many of them unnaturalized, and that Italy’s declaration of war against the allies had created a difficult problem in the north. One report stated there are 5,000 Italians in Porcupine, Ont. alone. Obviously, this is a gross exaggeration.

The Northern Miner understands, from competent authorities, that of the 25,275 men employed in the 44 operating mines in Ontario, only 380 are unnaturalized Italians.

MOBILIZATION BILL CALLS FOR MORE PRODUCTION

The government of Canada, under last month’s Mobilization Bill, “may do and authorize such acts and things, and make from time to time such orders and regulations, requiring persons to place themselves, their services and their property at the disposal of His Majesty in the right of Canada, as may be deemed necessary or expedient for securing the public safety, the defence of Canada, the maintenance of public order, or the the efficient prosecution of the war, or for maintaining supplies essential for the life of the community.”

A mining controller has been appointed, whose duties will involve encouraging the greatest possible production from Canadian mines. That he will receive the whole-hearted co-operation of mining people is unequivocal.

LAKE SHORE TREATS W.H. TAILINGS

An agreement has been reached between Lake Shore Mines Limited and Wright-Hargreaves Mines Limited, by which Lake Shore has undertaken to treat the impounded tailings of Wright-Hargreaves on a custom basis… The Wright-Hargreaves tailings will be treated in the Lake Shore roaster, but it is understood that this will not interfere with Lake Shore’s treatment of its own tailings.

HOYLE IS FINANCED TO PRODUCTION

Hoyle Gold Mines Limited has completed the financial arrangements necessary for completing mill construction and development to the production stage… Hoyle will come into production on an initial basis of from 400 to 500 tons daily. A new and improved type of sorting belt is being installed.

FATHER OF COBALT

The cornerstone of a legend and an industry made its exit this week with the passing of Alfred La Rose, aged 69, at Hull, Que.

La Rose was the blacksmith who is credited with flinging his hammer at a fox and turning up the first silver vein of the Cobalt camp.

There have been numerous variations of the story, such as that he threw his frying pan at a bear which was raiding his supplier. In later interviews, La Rose denied any unusual circumstance and declared that he had made the discovery in the normal way. The find was undeniably the first recognized silver discovery and gave Cobalt its first push on the road to fame and wealth.

GOLD ORE RESERVES REACH BIG TOTAL

Total estimated ore reserves of 51 Canadian mining companies (for which complete reports are available as of the close of their latest fiscal years) are valued at about $433 million, a statistical summary prepared by The Northern Miner reveals.

Reprinted from The Northern Miner, September, 1940.