OBITUARY — John Allan Graham

John Allan Graham, former manager of the Geco copper-zinc mine in northern Ontario, has died. He was 84.

Born in Alberta and educated at the University of Alberta, Mr. Graham began his mining career in 1934 at the Sudbury nickel operations of Inco. He traveled to Quebec two years later to serve as the shift boss for Siscoe Gold Mines.

After a brief return to the west to serve as a manager at Pioneer Gold Mines, Mr. Graham returned to Quebec in 1952 to become the general superintendent of the Mining Corporation of Canada’s Quemont mine.

In 1954, he became involved with the development of that company’s Geco project. Serving first as project manager, and later as operating manager, he was involved with the development of the underground mine, and the construction of a processing plant. He also contributed to the development of the town of Manitouwadge, one of the first planned mining communities.

In 1971, after 17 years at Geco, Mr. Graham was transferred to the Toronto offices of Noranda (which merged with the Mining Corporation of Canada in 1964), where he served as general manager

of the company’s Ontario mines. In 1976, he was elected vice-president of Parmour Porcupine Mines, though he retained his responsibilities for the Geco mine and the Langmier property in Timmins, Ont.

In 1978, he was awarded the prestigious Inco Medal, in recognition of his exceptional achievement at Geco.

Mr. Graham was also responsible for such industry innovations as the use of cemented quarry rock for backfill, mechanized mining equipment in small headings, and cable rock-bolting.

He was a past president of both the Mines Accident Prevention Association of Ontario and the Ontario Mining Association.

He is survived by Gertrude, his wife of 57 years, daughters Joan and Katharine and son Peter. He is predeceased by his son John.