|
Georges H. Dumont
A pioneer of the Quebec mining industry, Dumont was actively involved
in the engineering, development and production of the eleven mineral
deposits he helped discover. This lifetime of achievement makes
him an extraordinary figure in the mining industry of Canada.
Dumont was born in St. Anselme, Quebec, and studied engineering at the University of Montreal, where he graduated in 1936. His six brothers also became engineers. This achievement was recognized by the Corporation of Professional Engineers of Quebec, which paid a tribute to the family at its annual convention in 1957.
Dumont's first discovery in Quebec was the Adelmont gold mine
(today the Brosnor mine) in Louvicourt Township in 1937, followed
by the discovery of the Monique gold deposit in 1938. In 1942,
he discovered a lithium deposit which became the Quebec Lithium
mine from which were extracted a million tons of ore between 1952
and 1962.
These early finds were followed in 1944 by the Louvicourt Goldfields
mine which stayed in production for three years. In 1945, Dumont
discovered the East Sullivan deposit, which became one of the
largest copper-zinc mines in the Abitibi region, producing 17
million tons of ore over a period of 17 years.
In 1960, Dumont made another significant discovery, a molybdenum
and bismuth deposit from which almost two million tons of ore
were extracted between 1965 and 1970. In 1962, he discovered the
Chesbar iron mine, followed by the Quebec Explorer gold mine.
In the 1960s, while looking for nickel, Dumont made another lithium
discovery in La Motte Township. He also found some nickel in 1970,
in Launay Township, near Amos. It was an enormous, low-grade deposit
of 800 million tons of 0.4% nickel which is now respectfully called
"the Dumont Sill".
The Mid-Canada mine was discovered in the 1970s, and later produced
for several years. In 1974, Dumont found the Bras d'Or mine, today
the Dumont mine of the AurBel group. Finally, in 1983, he discovered
the Wrightbar gold mine in Bourlamaque Township.
Today, Dumont takes a keen interest in lithium, which he calls
"the metal of the future". As president of Wrightbar
Mines, he launched an initiative to make the company a lithium
producer.
Dumont's many accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In 1980,
he was named Prospector of the Year by the Quebec Prospectors
Association for his outstanding services to the mining industry.
Few men in Canada have achieved greater success in mine-finding
than Dumont. His rare blend of personal skills, technical expertise,
intelligence, insight and boldness have made him an inspiration
for many young geologists who have chosen to pursue careers in
mineral exploration.
|