Ross Toms

Ross Toms, a prospector who discovered several major iron ore deposits in the Ungava district of northern Quebec, has died. He was 91.

Toms was born in La Scie, Nfld., in 1910, and at the age 16, left home to work at various jobs in the timber and mining industries. In 1938, he joined Sigma Mines as shaftman and, over the next eight years, worked his way up to the position of underground superintendent.

Toms joined Fenimore Iron Mines in 1949 and staked 1,000 claims north of Leaf Lake on the west coast of Ungava, Que. The claims were sold to Cyrus Eaton, who already had large investments in the iron ore and steel industry. Subsequently, Toms joined the Cyrus Eaton Syndicate and oversaw the discovery of several large iron ore deposits in the Ungava area.

“Mr. Toms has found more iron ore deposits in Canada than any other individual,” Thomas Jones, a participant in the Ungava Syndicate, said at the time. “He is one of the greatest prospectors.”

In 1999, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada presented Toms with a special achievement award for his success in the Ungava region.

Toms is survived by two daughters, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Peter Collins

Peter Collins, a former managing engineer with Iron Ore Co. of Canada (IOCC), has died. He was 69.

He graduated from the Royal College of Science and Technology in Scotland where he received the Johnny Cross Medal for top honours. Thereafter, he graduated with honours from the Uiversity of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, and worked for that country’s National Coal Board.

In 1967, he joined IOCC in Schefferville, Que., and later became managing engineer of mine operations at the Carol Lake project in Labrador City. He also worked as a consultant for Dames & Moore Consulting, and for Royal Oak Mines at its Colomac operation.

In 1969, Collins became a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.