LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Rooting for Bern Brynelsen

Bern Brynelsen was listed as a candidate for election to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame (T.N.M., Sept. 21/92). Contrary to your report, he did not play a large part in the discovery and development of the Brenda Mines, Bell Copper and Boss Mountain mining operations.

Amax drilled off the Boss Mountain property and returned it to Spud Huestis. Brynelsen made a deal with Huestis and turned it over to Noranda Mines.

Bell Copper was discovered by a group composed of Archie Bell, Roy Woolverton and myself. Gavin Dirom, a student with the group, was involved in the work that led to the discovery. The group operated from a small office in Vancouver, with funding from Noranda’s Toronto office. All reporting was to Archie Bell in Toronto. This strange low-budget group was to accommodate some Japanese smelter group interests in various arrangements with Noranda which included joint exploration work in British Columbia.

The discovery was made in 1962 and 1963. All of the area of interest was staked on Noranda employees’ licences.

Mr. Brynelsen did not play a part in directing the exploration programs in 1962, 1963 or early 1964. The first drilling program in 1964 indicated the existence of a large tonnage of ore-grade porphyry copper-type mineralization. In 1962 or 1963, negotiations with the Japanese failed, and in early 1964 I returned to work with TexasGulf Sulphur. Later in 1964, the maverick group of successful explorers was disbanded.

Brynelsen deserves election to the Hall of Fame for his extraordinary foresight and financing ability in the acquisition and development of the Brenda Mines property. Also, he undoubtedly acquired Boss Mountain for Noranda, and for a long period kept Noranda active in exploration for economic minerals in British Columbia.

David Lowrie

Toronto