GUEST COLUMN — A `field of dreams’ parable

Timmins, Ont., was born of the discovery of riches. In 1909, a group of prospectors discovered the fabulous Dome “Golden Stairway” which gave rise to the Dome Mines family of producers. Soon after, prospectors Alex Gillies and Benny Hollinger discovered the even larger Hollinger Mines deposits from which developed another mining dynasty.

Then came the McIntyre, Broulan Reef, Pamour, Hallnor, Aunor, Delnite, Buffalo Ankerite, Vipond, Paymaster, Moneta, Coniaurum, Preston East Dome and others. The “others” didn’t last long, and during the 1940s and 1950s inevitably some of the above-named mines ceased production and closed their doors — Moneta, Vipond, Buffalo Ankerite, Coniaurum. Others were cutting back production — Paymaster, Delnite, even Hollinger and McIntyre. The people of Timmins, Schumacher and South Porcupine began to worry. It was evident in that some of the houses were not as brightly painted as they had been. People were heard to say, “What will happen when the Hollinger and McIntyre close?”

There was in the community a visionary and an optimist. J.B. McClinton, physician, was also president of the Chamber of Commerce. He had one particular idea. He announced that what the town needed was an airport and a good one at that. Perhaps Trans Canada Airlines would service Timmins rather than Porquis Junction some 45 miles away.

The townsfolk did it themselves. They had raffles, they had community dinners and they individually “bought” a foot of runway. They cleared the land, built and paved the strip, built a cabin called a “terminal,” and signed it all over to the federal Department of Transport, for $1, to run. “Build it and they will come.” That is essentially what Jim McClinton said. And they came. Trans Canada Airlines came. New business came. One mining company, Texas Gulf Sulphur, had designed its own high-tech geophysical survey system initially carried by a Bell G-2 helicopter. The problem was that the equipment was so heavy for such a light aircraft that its range was limited.

It needed the facilities of an airport, and so in 1958-59, when the Timmins airport was completed, Texas Gulf also came and conducted an airborne survey which led to the discovery in 1963 of the fabulous Kidd Creek mine. As a direct result of this discovery other companies came. Inco discovered a new gold deposit, named the Owl Creek mine when it achieved production. And others followed.

It is now all history. The airport was dedicated to Jim McClinton. He made a difference. He had a good idea and a positive attitude.

Build it, and they will come. And it came to pass.

This short story is made simple to focus on some essential elements. Few things in life are really that simple. Yes, McClinton’s airfield did facilitate Texas Gulf’s work, and they detected the “Kidd 55” anomaly early in their survey in 1959. But it was about four years before the anomaly could be tested. George Podolsky had to locate the conductor on the ground and determine the ownership of the land. Three owners had to be contacted. Replies were slow, negotiations even slower. Almost 70 holes were drilled on other anomalies in the area. As Texas Gulf was closing its Toronto office to leave Canada, David Lowrie wrote one last letter to try to resolve the problem of access to the Kidd 55 ground. It bore fruit, but it was not until late 1963 that Ken Darke was able to spot the discovery hole. With that hole Timmins experienced a rebirth of riches.

So this field of dreams required a visionary, community involvement, an innovative exploration team, and persistence in overcoming roadblocks to progress before discovery could be made.

Things haven’t changed much. We now have despondency about our mining future. Our country’s discovery potential is still magnificent. We have roadblocks of different kinds, but we also have the intelligence to overcome them. Who among us will be the next visionary, the dogged persister, the discoverer? It’s time to do it.

— Robert Ginn is a former president of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.