Porcupine discovery began Canada’s biggest gold camp

Although now surpassed by the Hemlo gold fields as Canada’s largest annual gold producer, the Porcupine was once the richest gold mining area outside South Africa. Four generations of Ontario miners have chipped, blasted and hauled almost 60 million oz of gold from the earth. That’s more than any other mining camp in history and a record that will take Hemlo a long time to surpass.

Geologists recognized the area’s potential early in the century and intrepid prospectors scoured the rugged, swampy land looking for the big strike that would make them rich. Edward Taylor of Toronto recorded the first claim in 1905, but like many others, it proved worthless. The following year, Reuben D’Aigle and his party did some exploratory work — but not enough. As they cut their trail they passed blindly over what was to become the huge Hollinger mine.

The first big find happened by accident. On May 17, 1909 prospector Harry Preston slipped on a mossy knoll while walking quickly through the bush. Where his boot heel scraped away the moss, Preston and his two companions glimpsed gleaming clumps of gold in a vein of quartz.

Despite the men’s best efforts, to keep their find secret word leaked out and the rush was on. The Dome mine, Canada’s longest continuous gold producer, still mines the Ida May vein that was exposed by Preston’s boot.

The following year prospector Benny Hollinger happened upon the gold-rich vein that resulted in the mine that bore his name. The open pit Hollinger mine became the biggest producer of all.

Today the Porcupine gold camp mines are expensive producers and face challenges from newer, lower- cost operations. But the camp’s place in history books is assured and the name “Porcupine” will always be associated with gold.

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