As he did last year, teacher Clarence Fisher kicked off the Snow Lake Mining Museum’s fifth annual celebration of Manitoba Mining Week by raising his voice several decibels above the clamour of close to 185 patrons. He noted that it was nice to see so many folks out to the museum, checking out what had changed since the previous year.
“This is what Snow Lake is about,” said Fisher. “This is the building that brings the community together… the building that represents Snow Lake.”
Fisher then handed the floor over to the deputy mayor of Snow Lake, Jodi Wilson.
Wilson called attention to the new Rock Room exhibit, saying, “Our mining museum, here in Snow Lake, is truly the gem of the north.”
Following Wilson on the program, Fisher asked Richard Trudeau, Hudbay’s manager of Flin Flon-Snow Lake mines, to say a few words.
Trudeau wished everyone a happy mining week and offered congratulations to the Snow Lake Mining Museum on celebrating their 20-year anniversary.
“I’d just like to acknowledge Paul [Hawman, museum board chair], not only for all his hard work here at the museum, but Paul and I worked together for a number of years, and I consider him a mentor of mine, who helped shape my mining career,” said Trudeau.
He then gave an overview of the opportunities within the local mining industry. Noting the importance of mining and the positive outlook for Hudbay in Manitoba, Trudeau mentioned the company’s three mines, two concentrators and zinc plant.
He said the Lalor Mine was producing good tonnage with good grades. However, Hudbay’s next goal is to upgrade its gold resource. By doing so, the company could use that information to review the economics of a start-up of the mill at the Snow Lake mine.
“This is a very aggressive project, with a lot of diamond drilling,” he said. “We have been going at it for a number of months and should be winding up in July.”
Trudeau also mentioned the paste plant project, which would mix tailings and concrete for use in backfilling mined-out areas at Lalor. He also noted some crushing and transport opportunities, which are rumoured to be moved from a contract basis to in-house operations.
Trudeau pointed out that they were making these capital investments while also cutting costs during a downturn in the market, which should put the company in a good position once things turn in a few years’ time.
In closing, Trudeau provided an interesting fact about the local industry. Since 1960, when the Chisel Lake mine first opened, 27 million tons of ore came out of the ground in the Snow Lake area.
“What’s exciting about Lalor is that we have over half of that tonnage in our reserves right now, with a huge upside potential… so we plan to stick around and be part of the rich mining history of Snow Lake,” he said.
After he closed, Trudeau presented Hawman a cheque in the amount of $750 on behalf of Hudbay.
Fisher then called on Joe Benoit, midwest regional service manager for Atlas Copco.
Benoit talked about his time in Snow Lake, where he started in 2000 with Hudbay as a mechanical apprentice at Chisel North Mine. He worked there for 10 years before moving on to Atlas Copco.
“Atlas Copco has had an excellent opportunity to partner with Hudbay in their surrounding mines, in providing equipment and services in those mines, and I’d just like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Town of Snow Lake on their rich mining history,” said Benoit.
Benoit also asked Hawman to step forward and presented him with a cheque for $1,000 on behalf of Atlas Copco.
Fisher then acknowledged a $500 donation from McLean Engineering.
To close off the formal part of the day, Fisher asked Hawman to say a few words.
“Although we have been active for almost 23 years, this year marks our 20th anniversary of being open to the public,” said the board chair. “This season also marks our fifth annual provincial mining week event and I’d like to thank all of our supporters, large and small, past and present, for making this possible.”
He also paid tribute to the museum’s corporate sponsors, then acknowledged Stittco, which provided the propane to cook lunch, and USW Local #7106, which donated the food and drinks, as well as the volunteers who worked to put on the event.
“I’d like to mention some of the highlights from the past year,” Hawman continued. “Our Star Attraction Project is almost complete. With the arrival of Al the Miner, [a life-size cardboard photo of Al Styba geared up for underground], we have only one more sign to erect to finish this project. The total spent is $15,000.
“Under construction is our rock and mineral exhibit, and our exploration exhibit is nearly complete, with only mudding and paint on the exterior walls left to do.
“The total spent on this project is $8,900 – building improvements funded by Community Places North. This is complete, with new overhead doors, roof repairs and a new entrance deck, on top of new siding the year before. The total spent over the last two years is $41,000.”
Following Hawman’s address, people attending enjoyed hot dogs, drinks and coffee and took in the museum’s many exhibits.
My Take on Snow Lake is published Fridays.
