Industry honors its own at first Hall of Fame dinner

Maurice Brown, chairman of the Hall of Fame, presided over the ceremonies for the inaugural dinner, with Falconbridge Ltd.’s Bill James delivering the keynote address.

“It was a difficult task to select so few from so many,” Brown said, “but it is our plan to select others in the years ahead.”

The inductees, two of whom are still living, were selected from candidates nominated by 14 mining oriented organizations across the country.

Judging by the enthusiatic and emotional reception given to the choices by the more than 400 guests who attended the black-tie event, Canada’s new Mining Hall of Fame couldn’t have enjoyed a better start.

The recent dinner and ceremony capped months of preparation by sponsors and organizers which include the Mining Association of Canada, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and The Northern Miner Press Limited.

James, one of the more outspoken personalities in Canada’s mining industry, couldn’t resist the opportunity to direct a few jabs at Noranda Inc. Chairman Alfred Powis, who was also a head table guest and speaker at the event. After injecting some color and humor into the ceremony, James became more serious and said that “we’re here to celebrate the inductees and not my private fights.” Powis, in his thanks to the speaker, noted that “one of the things we all have to regret is that we don’t have any more colorful figures i n the mining industry today.”

Federal Mines Minister Marcel Masse, who addressed the gathering in both official languages, emphasized that mining has always been vitally important to Canada. “The mining industry has helped to develop the north, provided jobs, and improved our standard of living,” he said.

In honoring the Mining Hall of Fame inductees, Masse said “Canada would not be what it is today without their contributions.”

One of the goals of the Hall of Fame is to give due recognition to those individuals who have been Canada’s most important mining pioneers. The inductees were selected for their courage, vision, and willingness to take risks — all qualities which have distinguished them as a unique breed who answered the call of the north and accepted the challenge to develop Canada’s often remotely located mineral resources.

Dr. Franc Joubin, a Hall of Fame inductee who found the vast Blind River uranium deposits in northern Ontario, described his sentiments, upon receiving the honor, as “a mixture of surprise, gratitude and humility.”

“I feel especially priviledged to receive this honor,” he said. “As a prospector or a loner or a maverick, I cannot forget the others who have supported me. From the financiers to the partners I’ve had in the bush, these individuals have been faithful and confident and they are all partners in my success. It is to all of them that I owe my success.” Joubin also paid tribute to his wife in accepting the Hall of Fame award.

A portable Mining Hall of Fame display will be made available for showings at mining events staged by various organizations across Canada. Future plans include finding a permanent home for the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, possibly in conjunction with a national mining museum.

]]>