Endeavour Silver founder Bradford Cooke passes away at 67

Bradford Cooke, the founder, director and executive chairman of Endeavour Silver (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) has passed away suddenly in Vancouver at the age of 67. The cause of death was not released.

Cooke is well known as an accomplished geologist and with nearly five decades of experience in the metals and mining industry.

In a press release, Endeavour CEO Dan Dickson paid tribute to the entrepreneur, who was also known as an “eternal optimist.”

“We are incredibly saddened by this sudden loss,” Dickson said. “Brad was extremely loyal to his people. He will be sincerely missed and always remembered by a large group of family and friends around the world. I have known and worked with Brad for 15 years and I consider him my dear friend. I will always remember him for his passion, commitment and hard-working attitude. With his vibrant energy, he strove to bring out the best in those who worked with him.”

Cooke began his career in 1976, after completing a B.Sc. in geology at Queen’s University, managing mineral exploration programs across Canada for Noranda Mines, Shell Minerals and Chevron Minerals. He also earned an M.Sc. in geology from the University of British Columbia in 1984.

Striking out on his own, he formed Cooke Geological Consultants in the early 1980s, making several gold discoveries in B.C. for clients.

Soon after, Cooke had a sudden realization that while his clients’ share prices were taking off, his salary hadn’t changed in three years.

“I decided I really wanted to figure out how these public markets worked,” Cooke told The Northern Miner in 2013.

In 1988, with Brad Aelicks and John Robins, he formed Canarc Resource, which advanced the New Polaris gold mine project in B.C. to a 1.2 million oz. resource. The team was advancing it toward production when the Bre-X Minerals scandal hit, derailing the markets.

Cooke formed Endeavour together with Godfrey Walton in 2003 for the purpose of acquiring and developing high grade silver-gold projects in Mexico. Since that time, the company has acquired, rebuilt and expanded four silver mines, and is working on a fifth with the Terronera project.

“The secret of the Endeavour business model is discovery and production, discovery and production, discovery and production,” Cooke told The Northern Miner. “Every year we try to make a discovery, fast track it to production and expand.”

Cooke also served as president of the Silver Institute.