One of the discoverers of the Elliot Lake uranium deposits was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, Jan. 17 in Toronto.
Consulting geologist David S. Robertson was recognized for his technical accomplishments and personal integrity displayed during a career spanning more than six decades, including the Elliot Lake find.
Born in 1924, he made other uranium discoveries after establishing David S. Robertson & Associates in 1965 and was retained by the Saskatchewan government in the mid-1970s to evaluate potash assets. He continued to provide expert advice after his firm merged with Coopers & Lybrand in 1982, and for another 20 years as an independent consultant.
Three others were inducted including Kathleen Rice, prominent prospector and mining entrepreneur, who became famous for staking and drilling the first nickel properties at Snow Lake in northern Manitoba in the 1920s that eventually lured Inco (now Vale) into the area. She died in 1963.
John McOuat advanced hundreds of mines and mineral projects around the world as a founding partner of Watts, Griffis and McQuat, Canada’s longest-running independent firm of geological and mining consultants. He died in 2013.
Mark Rebagliati developed a prolific track record of advancing copper and gold discoveries in B.C., Mexico, Alaska and Tibet. Born in 1943, he culminated his career as executive vice-president of exploration for Vancouver-based Hunter Dickinson Inc.
The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame honours those who have demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievements that have benefitted the Canadian minerals industry. Established in 1988, this year’s inductees will join a roster of 158 men and one woman.
