PROFILE — Metall’s Zeitler plans mining province around

The Northwest Territories, which provides a new frontier for mineral exploration and development, has attracted an increasing number of companies to place their bets there. Metall Mining, for one, is vigorously studying the feasibility of the Izok Lake zinc-copper project, near the Lupin mine. As envisioned by President Klaus Zeitler, Izok is just the beginning of a large mining province in the area.

“We see the Northwest Territories’ central part as a frontier capable of laying the foundation for a big mining company,” says Zeitler, 54. “Once Izok Lake comes into production, it will be the fourth largest base metal mine in Canada.”

Listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, Metall is the mining arm of the Germany-based Metallgesellschaft group. Last March, the company agreed to purchase a 40% interest in Izok from its sole owner Minnova Inc. In October Metall acquired a controlling stake in Minnova from Kerr Addison Mines of the Noranda group.

“We want to be viewed as a truly Canadian company,” says Zeitler. “Minnova has one of the best exploration teams, which has the expertise to apply advanced exploration technology. Metall has financial strength, a marketing network and international connections.”

The alliance has helped each company to fill a void, Zeitler adds. “Metall does not even have a vice-president of exploration while Minnova President David Watkins, an excellent geologist, is happy to tap Metall’s financial resources,” he says. “Metall’s controller has become Minnova’s vice-president of finance.”

Zeitler also notes that both Metall and Minnova want to grow and have the money for expansion. Employees of both companies, which have similar corporate

backgrounds, understand the “procedures” and “business climate” in resource groups, he says.

Born and raised in Pforzheim, Germany, he studied business and mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, from which he earned his doctorate in economic planning in 1967. He then worked with an independent consulting firm before he joined Metallgesellschaft in 1970. Zeitler came to Canada in 1975 and was appointed president of Metallgesellschaft Canada in 1981, responsible for the development or financial arrangement of such projects as the Nanisivik. He cites the establishment of Metall Mining in 1987, of which he became the first president and chief executive officer, as a milestone in his career. Zeitler and his wife, Siegtrud, have three children. He loves outdoor sports and was the first runnerup in a recent sailing rally from Norfolk, Va., to the Caribbean.

Metall plans to be one of the 10 largest mining companies in Canada. Is this aspiration to greatness a German attribute? “It is a step-wise situation, always striving for improvement,” he replies. “Canada’s North provides the space for this search for improvement. The end result can be an impression of immensity and majesty.”