PROFILE John McOuat sells Canadian know-how worldwide

From Alaska to Sri Lanka and from Greenland to Bolivia there are projects with which Toronto- based consulting firm Watts, Griffis and McOuat (WGM) is involved. Recently it signed a contract with the government of Yemen to conduct mineral exploration there. “Since inception in 1962, we have been selling our skills internationally as well as domestically,” says President John McOuat, 57, in an interview with The Northern Miner. “Canada’s technology is recognized internationally and Canada is on good terms with most countries.” He founded the company with Murray Watts and Thomas Griffis.

WGM’s global outlook is shaped by a belief that the mining industry is cyclical and that countries are cyclical in terms of political stability and taxation. “We go where the work is,” says McOuat.

There is an emotional reason for WGM’s corporate philosophy, adds McOuat. “You must be romantic to want to be internationally involved. You venture into some place new. You use your explorationist know-how to be an explorer.”

Asked to name his favorite project, McOuat says: “The next one.” He, however, appreciates his experience in the north most — places with features similar to Canada. WGM, for example, helps Platinova Resources to plan its exploration in Greenland and manage its program.

Among the orebodies with which WGM is identified are Red Dog and Greens Creek — both in Alaska. Personally, McOuat finds Russian geologists, whom he meets in Alaska and the Soviet Far East, “pleasant” and “anxious to learn.” He shares their technical interests and skills and is charmed by their fascination with Westerners.

McOuat graduated from the 0000,0503 University of Toronto with a B.A.Sc. in geological engineering in 1956 and received his honorary doctorate of engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1987. Asked about his hobby, McOuat replies: “My work is my avocation.” His wife, Vodrie, is a former schoolteacher. The couple has three daughters and a son.

The cancellations of tax incentive and the fall of commodity prices prompt McOuat to foresee a dismal 1991 for junior exploration. “But the mining industry is too important to Canada’s economy for the governments to let it die,” he adds. “They will soften their tax bite.”

As well, he predicts that Canada’s stiff environmental laws will not result in an exodus of risk capital. “The world will catch up with the type of environmental legislation enforced in North America. The discrepancy will disappear.”