Books in Review Book on gold: how it’s found, how it’s mined

“One thing that has always saddened me is the apparent lack of knowledge that most people have about the actual process of finding a mine.”

That lack of understanding as he saw it inspired John Gammon, now director of the mineral development and lands branch of Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, to write a book, Gold and Other Metals: How They Are Found And Mined. It should go a long way to fill in the knowledge gap the author perceives.

Gammon uses clear layman language and cartoon-style illustrations to explain in simple terms the process of mine-finding and development right from the role of the prospector through exploration and mining methods to the processing and smelting of mined ore.

Gammon writes from a base of very long mining experience. Before his recent appointment to the Ontario ministry, he was a geologist and exploration manager for many years with Falconbridge Ltd.

Gold and Other Metals: How They Are Found and Mined. By John Gammon. Published by Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London. Available in Canada through MSS Ltd., 2052 Pen St., Oakville, Ont. L6H 3L3. Price $13.50.