Patrick Terrance O’Kane, a project manager and processing consultant who spent roughly 50 years in the mining and mineral processing industry, has died in Coquitlam, B.C. He was 71.
O’Kane was born in Flin Flon, Man. His mining experience began when he earned a university scholarship paid for by Hudson’s Bay Mining & Smelting. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering in 1955, and a year later married Rose Marion in Saskatoon.
O’Kane had an international career in the mineral processing industry with extensive experience in the management and process design of mines, plants and refineries. He lived in various places, including Canada, Cuba and the Philippines.
O’Kane published 16 papers on the processing of nickel, iron, zinc, gold and platinum-group-metal ore and held various patents related to hydrometallurgy.
He served as a director of numerous junior mining companies, including Northern Orion Resources, Mercator Minerals, Globemin Resources, Geostar Metals, and Polymet Mining. He was president of O’Kane Consultants and International PGM Technologies.
A memorial endowment has been established at the University of Saskatchewan to fund scholarships of worthy engineering students. Donations should be made out to the Patrick Terrance O’Kane Memorial and sent to University Advancement, c/o Bev Cooper, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Rroom 238, Kirk Hall, Saskatoon, Sask. S7N 5C8.
O’Kane is survived by his wife Rose and six children, as well as six grandchildren.
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