Although the Labrador Trough was identified and iron formations noted by A.P. Low in 1894, iron orebodies were not identified until two junior exploration companies — McKay (Quebec) Exploration and Labrador Mining and Exploration (LM&E) — began exploring in the late 1920s and early 1930s. LM&E’s work in the area culminated in the first shipload of high-grade iron ore heading off to market in July, 1954.
Because there was such a large area to be explored and because of the high availability of excellent outcrops which could be readily sampled, the first diamond drill holes were not put down until September, 1944. Drilling at Sawyer Lake quickly slotted millions of tonnes of direct-shipping ore into the proven category. That work led to a production decision in January, 1946 for what was to become the biggest mining project in Canada at the time. The base camp at Knob Lake was renamed Schefferville.
To finance the $250-million mega-project, which included a 560-km rail line, hydro-electric facilities and a townsite, a new company was formed called the Iron Ore Co. of Canada (ioc), and in July 1954 the first shipment of iron ore left the company’s dock in Sept Isles, Que.
Drilling at Wabush Lake began in the summer of 1965 and a second big iron ore mine was announced by ioc in 1959.
Ioc plans to publish a hardcover book sometime this spring, detailing the history of the company.
Be the first to comment on "THIRTY-SIX YEARS YOUNG"