Hall of Fame inducts nine members at gala ceremony

Nine new members were inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame at a dinner and awards ceremony at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

About 450 people attended the sixth annual banquet. Guests included friends and family of inductees, as well as senior executives from Canada’s largest mining companies.

Members are inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Canadian mining.

Among this year’s posthumous inductees are C. Stanley Davidson, Herbert E.T. Haultain, Robert Jackson Jowsey and William S. Row. Family members, including children, grandchildren, and even a grandnephew, accepted the medallion, plaque and commemorative pin on their relatives’ behalf. Accepting on their own behalf were Frederick R. Archibald, Bernard Brynelsen, Come Carbonneau, John Kostuik, and Charles E. Michener.

Dorothy Smart, daughter of inductee Robert Jowsey, expressed her appreciation and gratitude to “all those who keep Canada going.” She went on to say that her father “was a lucky prospector who believed firmly that there was nothing more fortunate than being Canadian.”

Others were somewhat more whimsical in their acceptance. Brynelsen, who was responsible for developing the Brenda mine, exclaimed: “I’m so thrilled, not only by the honor of the award but because I lived long enough to get it.” All of the industry’s major organizations were represented, including: the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC); the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM); the Mining Association of Canada (MAC); and various provincial mining associations. The three levels of government were represented as well, including Ontario Mines Minister Shelley Martel and Elliot Lake Councillor Fred Mann. Among past inductees present were prospecting pioneer Franc Joubin and former publisher of The Northern Miner Maurice Brown.

Seated at the head table was Robert Ginn, past president of the PDAC who acted as master of ceremonies. Seated with him were: John Cooke, current executive publisher of The Northern Miner; CIM President David Robertson; PDAC President John Hansuld; MAC Chairman Louis Gignac; and MAC President George Miller.

Sponsors of the Hall of Fame included the MAC, PDAC, CIM and The Northern Miner. Now that the Hall has been recognized as a registered charity, organizers hope sufficient donations can be raised to provide a permanent home for the institution.