Twitter

Timmins

Excerpt from J.P. BICKELL: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy – by Jason Wilson, Kevin Shea and Graham MacLachlan

To order a copy of “J.P. BICKELL: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy”: https://www.dundurn.com/books/JP-Bickell

Jason Wilson is a bestselling Canadian author, a two-time Juno Awards Nominee, and an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Guelph. He has performed and recorded with UB40, Ron Sexsmith, Pee Wee Ellis, and Dave Swarbrick. Jason lives in Stouffville, Ontario.

Kevin Shea is a renowned hockey historian and bestselling author of fourteen hockey books. He is the Editor of Publications and Online Features for the Hockey Hall of Fame, a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Historical Committee, and a founding member of Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer. Kevin lives in Toronto.

Graham MacLachlan is a relative of J.P. Bickell who has an extensive business background in international trade that is equalled by his involvement in hockey in the IIHF, the WHL, Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and Hockey Calgary. Graham lives in Calgary, Alberta.

OVERVIEW

He stayed out of the spotlight, but Leafs fans know J.P. Bickell cast a long shadow.

A self-made mining magnate and the man who kept the Maple Leafs in Toronto and financed Maple Leaf Gardens, J.P. Bickell lived an extraordinary and purposeful life. As one of the most important industrialists in Canadian history, Bickell left his mark on communities across the nation. He was a cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which awards the J.P. Bickell Memorial Award to recognize outstanding service to the organization.

Bickell’s story is also tied up with some of the most famous Canadians of his day, including Mitchell Hepburn, Roy Thomson, and Conn Smythe. Through his charitable foundation, he has been a key benefactor of the Hospital for Sick Children, and his legacy continues to transform Toronto. Yet, though Bickell was so important both to Toronto and the Maple Leafs, the story of his incredible life is today largely obscure. This book sets the record straight, presenting the definitive story of his rise to prominence and his lasting legacy — on the ice and off.

Read more

[J.P. Bickell and McIntyre Mine] Literary hockey history at Timmins Museum – by Emma Meldrum (Timmins Daily Press – October 2, 2017)

http://www.timminspress.com/

J.P. Bickell was the CEO of McIntyre Mine which produced slightly over 10 million ounces of gold from 1912 – 1988. Gold mines that produce over 10 million ounces of gold are very rare, even today. – Stan Sudol

TIMMINS – In a darkened room, men mill about the bar while a reggae band plays. On Friday evening, the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre’s permanent gallery space hosted Books, Bands, Beer and Beards. The evening started off with Jason Wilson & the Perennials’ version of the classic Hockey Night in Canada theme song – the hockey theme only grew from there.

Graham MacLaughlan and Kevin Shea, who wrote “J.P. Bickell: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy” along with Wilson, spoke at length about the man’s contributions to the sport and to this city.

When asked by host Andrew Autio about what surprised them while they researched the book, Shea highlighted the depth of Bickell’s philanthropy. “He was behind so many things that still exist to this day and flourished because of his money in the early days,” said Shea. “It doesn’t really resonate until you really start to research the book.

Read more

$5M for Timmins mining supply firms – by Len Gillis (Timmins Daily Press – September 27, 2017)

http://www.timminspress.com/

TIMMINS – The importance of the mining supply and service sector for Timmins and the rest of Ontario was highlighted Wednesday when the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation came to town with more than $5-million worth of investments in the Timmins area alone.

The news was announced by Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle, who is also the chairman of the NOHFC board, which was meeting in Timmins this week. He made the announcement at the OK Tire Mining Division shop on Laforest Road, which was one of the grant recipients.

“Around the world, Ontario has a reputation as a global mining hub,” said Gravelle. He said there are 39 mines operating in the province, making it the leader in Canada. This includes 17 gold mines, 10 base metal mines and one diamond mine, he said.

Read more

Excerpt from J.P. BICKELL: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy – by Jason Wilson, Kevin Shea and Graham MacLachlan

To order a copy of “J.P. BICKELL: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy”: https://www.dundurn.com/books/JP-Bickell

Jason Wilson is a bestselling Canadian author, a two-time Juno Awards Nominee, and an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Guelph. He has performed and recorded with UB40, Ron Sexsmith, Pee Wee Ellis, and Dave Swarbrick. Jason lives in Stouffville, Ontario.

Kevin Shea is a renowned hockey historian and bestselling author of fourteen hockey books. He is the Editor of Publications and Online Features for the Hockey Hall of Fame, a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Historical Committee, and a founding member of Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer. Kevin lives in Toronto.

Graham MacLachlan is a relative of J.P. Bickell who has an extensive business background in international trade that is equalled by his involvement in hockey in the IIHF, the WHL, Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and Hockey Calgary. Graham lives in Calgary, Alberta.

OVERVIEW

He stayed out of the spotlight, but Leafs fans know J.P. Bickell cast a long shadow.

A self-made mining magnate and the man who kept the Maple Leafs in Toronto and financed Maple Leaf Gardens, J.P. Bickell lived an extraordinary and purposeful life. As one of the most important industrialists in Canadian history, Bickell left his mark on communities across the nation. He was a cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which awards the J.P. Bickell Memorial Award to recognize outstanding service to the organization.

Bickell’s story is also tied up with some of the most famous Canadians of his day, including Mitchell Hepburn, Roy Thomson, and Conn Smythe. Through his charitable foundation, he has been a key benefactor of the Hospital for Sick Children, and his legacy continues to transform Toronto.

Read more

Excerpt from J.P. BICKELL: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy – by Jason Wilson, Kevin Shea and Graham MacLachlan

To order a copy of “J.P. BICKELL: The Life, the Leafs, and the Legacy”: https://www.dundurn.com/books/JP-Bickell

Jason Wilson is a bestselling Canadian author, a two-time Juno Awards Nominee, and an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Guelph. He has performed and recorded with UB40, Ron Sexsmith, Pee Wee Ellis, and Dave Swarbrick. Jason lives in Stouffville, Ontario.

Kevin Shea is a renowned hockey historian and bestselling author of fourteen hockey books. He is the Editor of Publications and Online Features for the Hockey Hall of Fame, a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Historical Committee, and a founding member of Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer. Kevin lives in Toronto.

Graham MacLachlan is a relative of J.P. Bickell who has an extensive business background in international trade that is equalled by his involvement in hockey in the IIHF, the WHL, Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and Hockey Calgary. Graham lives in Calgary, Alberta.

OVERVIEW

He stayed out of the spotlight, but Leafs fans know J.P. Bickell cast a long shadow.

A self-made mining magnate and the man who kept the Maple Leafs in Toronto and financed Maple Leaf Gardens, J.P. Bickell lived an extraordinary and purposeful life. As one of the most important industrialists in Canadian history, Bickell left his mark on communities across the nation. He was a cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which awards the J.P. Bickell Memorial Award to recognize outstanding service to the organization.

Bickell’s story is also tied up with some of the most famous Canadians of his day, including Mitchell Hepburn, Roy Thomson, and Conn Smythe. Through his charitable foundation, he has been a key benefactor of the Hospital for Sick Children, and his legacy continues to transform Toronto.

Read more

McEwen will be ‘aggressive’ in Timmins gold camp – by Staff (Northern Ontario Business – September 22, 2017)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

New owner of Black Fox Mine promises to max out its potential

Mining magnate Rob McEwen has big plans for the Black Fox Mine complex, his company’s latest acquisition in the Timmins mining district. McEwen Mining announced the closing of a US$46.6 million bought deal offering on Sept. 22.

The money is earmarked for the purchase of Black Fox from Primero Mining and for general working purposes. The $35-million deal announced in August is expected to be finalized during the first week of October.

“The opportunity to buy Black Fox came together quickly and the timeframe to close was short, which meant that our financing options were limited to a bought deal or the issuance of debt,” said McEwen in a company news release.

Read more

McEwen Mining – Regaining the Long-Lost Gold Mojo – by Christopher Ecclestone (InvestorIntel.com – September 20, 2017)

https://investorintel.com/

Back at the end of last decade (yes, that long ago) we found ourselves confounded when investors rhapsodized to us about the virtues of a company that then carried the portentous and momentous title, US Gold. The attraction of this stock was supposedly that it was run by Rob McEwen, a Canadian mining entrepreneur that we were reliably informed could walk on water. Despite the claims we were never able to see this stunt performed.

What we did see was our beloved Minera Andes taken over followed by an unseemly and rancorous shoving match with Hochschild Mining over the San Jose mine, a long and turgid legal dispute with TNR Gold over its back-in rights over part of the Los Azules project and a bunch of Nevada gold “assets” that supposedly had Closeology going for them.

With a billion dollar market cap and a pack of swivel-eyed loons as its most ardent supporters the stock had Short written all over it in letters as large as the Hollywood sign. The stock dutifully (and thankfully) drove off a cliff and we closed the theoretical position in our Model Portfolio and went off as happy campers. As for the embedded investors there was a long and painful wait as the chart below shows.

Read more

Timmins gold operations helping to sustain Tahoe – by Len Gillis (Timmins Daily Press – August 12, 2017)

http://www.timminspress.com/

TIMMINS – Despite the legal difficulties Tahoe Resources is having at its Escobal silver mine in Guatemala, the company reports strong financial results for the second quarter of 2017, thanks in part to the company’s gold operations. Earnings per share ($0.11) have doubled what they were for the same period last year ($0.05).

Tahoe president and CEO Ron Clayton told shareholders this week the gold side of the company is helping to sustain Tahoe, despite the fact the Escobal mine is shut down because of a dispute with some local residents.

The Escobal operation is the third-largest silver mine in the world. The gold side of Tahoe includes the Timmins West mining complex and the Bell Creek Mine. Tahoe also has gold properties in Peru – those being the Shahuindo Mine and La Arena Mine. Clayton said work at the Timmins operations was going well.

Read more

McEwen Mining acquires Timmins Black Fox Mine from Primero – by Staff (Northern Ontario Business – August 10, 2017)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

McEwen Mining will acquire Timmins’ Black Fox Mine from Primero Mining in a deal worth $35 million. In a news release, McEwen said the transaction fits in with additional acquisitions the company has made in the Timmins camp.

McEwen acquired Lexam VG Gold in April. Lexam, which now operates as a subsidiary of McEwen, counts amongst its properties Buffalo Ankerite, Fuller and Davidson, along with a 61 per cent interest in the mineral rights on the Paymaster property (the remaining 39 per cent is controlled by Goldcorp).

“Our objective is to build a long-term production platform with a robust pipeline of production, development and exploration assets, all feeding into a single processing facility,” Rob McEwen, chair and chief owner, said in the release.

Read more

Dome underground mine closing in December – by Emma Meldrum (Timmins Daily Press – August 2, 2017)

http://www.timminspress.com/

TIMMINS – Porcupine Gold Mines announced Tuesday that mining operations are ending permanently at the Dome underground mine.

“This was a difficult decision, but one that is in the best interest of the long-term sustainability of the Porcupine Gold Mines complex,” said Marc Lauzier, mine general manager of Goldcorp’s Porcupine Gold Mines, in an emailed statement.

“These things are never easy,” Lauzier said later by phone. “Absolutely, it’s a difficult announcement for me to make, but from my point of view, it’s also about optimizing the business to help me secure investments for some of the other projects that we’re trying to do in the area, including Hoyle, including Hollinger, including Borden, and including eventually Century. We have to make these decisions in order to secure those investments.”

Read more

Sage Gold puts the pieces in place for 2018 production – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – July 25, 2017)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Picking up the Clavos Mine near Timmins has been about as turn-key as a mining project gets for Sage Gold. Things have fallen nicely into place for the Toronto developer as the company transitions from being a pure exploration player to becoming a mine operator in one of the world’s richest gold camps by early next year.

The Clavos Gold Project, 32 kilometres northeast of the city, was one of the few fully permitted mines in Canada that was sitting in mothballs in the East Timmins gold camp. Sage completed its phased-in acquisition of the former St. Andrew Goldfields mine last fall and had the provincial government reactivate the mine’s production permit.

With a private equity partner on its side, the company raised $11.5 million last November, and has raised a few million more since then. A good chunk is devoted to refurbishing the portal-and-ramp mine with the aim of restarting commercial production by the second quarter of 2018.

Read more

[Ontario] Research to keep miners cool at extreme depths – by Len Gillis (Timmins Daily Press – July 25, 2017)

http://www.timminspress.com/

New research is underway to help miners stay cooler while working at extreme depths underground. Such research could eventually benefit workers at the Kidd Mine in Timmins, which is the deepest base metal mine in the world.

Research scientist Dr. Stephen Cheung of Brock University said the ultimate goal is to find ways to make miners feel cooler and more comfortable and therefore be able to contribute more to more production. “As you know the deeper you go, the hotter the mines are and the greater the energy costs to ventilate those mines so that the miners can actually be working underground,” said Cheung.

“The idea here really is rather than cooling the entire chamber, it is most likely much more cost effective and efficient to be cooling the individual miners. So that’s kind of the genesis or the idea for the whole project,” he added.

Read more

Porcupine camp remains mineral rich – by Thomas Perry (Timmins Daily Press – June 13, 2016)

http://www.timminspress.com/

Please note this article is over a year old but still very relevant. – Stan Sudol

The Porcupine camp may be more than 100 years old, but that doesn’t mean geologists
have unlocked all its secrets.“There is also a new model in the camp,” van Hees said.

TIMMINS – The Porcupine camp has been producing gold for more than 100 years and there is no indication that is about to change anytime soon. Ed van Hees, Regional Resident Geologist for the Timmins District with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, points out between Timmins and Kirkland Lake, there are currently 16 operating mines and 13 of those are gold deposits.

“In terms of gold deposits, there are now, I think, 12 deposits that have produced 10 million ounces and three of them are in Timmins — the Holllinger, McIntyre and Dome mines,” he said.

The boundaries of the Porcupine camp are open to interpretation, depending on who you are talking to, but from van Hees’ perspective it extends 30 or 40 kilometres beyond (Tahoe Resources/Lake Shore Gold’s) Timmins West mine and stretches through the Hollinger, Dome McIntyre and 20 to 30 kilometres to the east of the (Glencore Kidd operations) smelter.

Read more

HISTORY: Roots of Timmins’ storied links to hockey – by Karen Bachmann (Timmins Daily Press – March 24, 2017)

http://www.timminspress.com/

Karen Bachmann is the curator/director of the Timmins Museum and a writer of local history.

TIMMINS – As you probably know (or maybe you never really thought about it), I don’t usually write about sports – I am smart enough to leave that to the professionals.

By no stretch of anyone’s imagination can I be considered a “sports person”. I know the very basics, have favourite teams (a Habs fan from time immemorial, and I follow Premier League soccer), but I am in no way equipped to conduct a semi-intelligent conversation on the finer points of the game – or any contest, match, bout or derby, for that matter.

Come to think of it, I cannot fully appreciate some of those sports discussions which invariably feature the minute deconstruction of a player’s performance and style, which, I am sorry to say, just sounds an awful lot like “man gossip” to me, but what do I know?

Read more

HISTORY: The Mac serves as Timmins’ hockey temple – by Karen Bachmann (Timmins Daily Press – November 26, 2016)

http://www.timminspress.com/

Karen Bachmann is the curator/director of the Timmins Museum and a writer of local history.

TIMMINS – In honour of Hometown Hockey Weekend here in Timmins, I feel that I have to go back and look at an article I wrote a while ago on the McIntyre Arena (home to Hometown Hockey, as it were, this weekend!).

While there is a lot of discussion out there about the arena itself, you cannot deny that it is our very own temple to the game.

Talk about history – it’s the rink that was home to many legendary local hockey teams (and quite a few NHLers to boot, including the Mahovlich brothers, Bill Barilko, Paul Harrison, Allan Stanley, Dean Prentice, Murray Costello and his brother Les, Steve Sullivan and so many others), as well as the headquarters for the world-famous Schumacher Skating School.

It’s also hosted umpteen concerts, circuses, conferences, trade shows, banquets and horticultural shows. It has been used to say goodbye to prominent citizens (Father Les Costello), and to ordain our local Catholic bishops. I would go even so far as to say that “The Mac” is a building that helps define who we are as residents in this city. Without it, we would be very much poorer.

Read more