1990 _ A look back Flamboyant west-coast promoter among year’s top

Some of the key players of previous years returned to centrestage in 1990, each with a new role. Under the spotlight was Vancouver promoter Murray Pezim — this time the target of a British Columbia Securities Commission hearing. In November, Pezim, John Ivany and Lawrence Page — senior executives of Prime Resources and Calpine Resources last year — were exonerated of insider-trading violations and any fraudulent intent though they failed to disclose on a timely basis drill results from the Eskay Creek gold project in northwestern British Columbia. The trio, however, has been banned from trading for one year in the province.

Eskay brought together again 0600,0000 Pezim and Corona (TSE) Chairman Ned Goodman, the pair who once joined forces to wrestle with LAC Minerals (TSE) over the Williams gold mine at Hemlo in north western Ontario. After Pezim had sold his stake in Prime (Eskay’s 50% owner) to Corona, he resigned in October as Corona’s director and honorary chairman. Meanwhile, Goodman says he is less involved in the Corona operations.

Stikine Resources (VSE), Eskay’s other 50% owner, also saw its key players in the limelight. Principal shareholders, including John Toffan, Ron Netolitzky and Marguerite Mackay, sold their 42% stake to Corona for a fortune.

The struggle for control took a different form in Eastern Canada. Montreal businessman Jacques Forget, who owned about 3% of Agnico-Eagle Mines (TSE), tried but failed to unseat President Paul Penna in July. Forget then sold his interest in Agnico and, through his Montreal investment firm Invesfor, purchased 6.5% of Audrey Resources (TSE). He sees Audrey as a takeover target.

Women have long made their mark in mining. Highly visible this year was Margaret Witte. Through her new company Royal Oak Resources (TSE), Witte managed to raise $33 million in a bear market for the Pamour purchase. The Colomac mine in the Northwest Territories, with which Witte is identified, went into production in August.

Also noteworthy was Maureen Jensen, who succeeded the late Normal Ursel to become president of 0600,0000 Noble Peak Resources (ASE) in June. And Lauri Boivin, exploration vice-president of Exploration Miniere La Sarre (ME), attracted much attention for her Manicouagan project in Quebec, which is believed by some to be the impact site of a meteorite.

As in previous years, 1990 saw the entrances and exits of prominent miners. Keith Hendrick will step down from his position as Noranda Minerals’ president and chief executive officer, but he remains chairman until he retires in June, 1992. Alex Balogh is Hendrick’s succes0600,0000 sor while Frank Pickard will replace Balogh as Falconbridge Ltd.’s president and CEO. (Recently, Hendrick was named “Copper Man of the Year” by the Copper Club of New York.)

Alf Powis gave up his title as Noranda’s (TSE) CEO, but has retained his position as chairman.

Falconbridge’s former president Bill James, out of the news for more than a year, is now running financially beleaguered Denison Mines (TSE).

In March miners mourned the death of Walter Baker, at 86. Baker was named the Prospector of the Year 1988 by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. A month later, noted prospector and mine developer Jack McAdam died at the age of 64.

Canada’s late uranium king Stephen Roman has returned to stalk the land of the living. His spirit is conjured up by Paul McKay’s new book, The Roman Empire.