The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame has announced its incoming 2024 class. Five inductees are being honoured for their lifetime contributions, spanning prospecting, investing and consulting. David Ross Bell, Ross D. Lawrence, William E. Roscoe, John T. Postle and Eric Sprott will be formally inducted early next year.

“Our 2024 inductees are visionaries in different parts of our industry who share a common approach – they identify opportunities and transform them into reality,” said Janice Zinck, chair of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, in a Sept. 28 press release. “These five individuals are deserving of this honour for their tireless commitment to unlocking discoveries, building projects and generating value to the benefit of Canada as a whole.”

Born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, David Ross Bell brought untold benefits to Canada’s mining industry. His geological curiosity was established early in life, and after high school, he promptly took an exploratory role with Falconbridge Nickel and worked out of both Sudbury and Timmins. In 1981, he discovered the Hemlo gold deposit in northern Ontario, which would become the signature discovery of his distinguished mining career. Later in his career, Bell continued prospecting while serving as a director for several companies, including Franco Nevada, Euro Nevada, Chariot Resources, Micham Resources, CaribGold and FTM Resources. He furthered his contribution to Canadian mining through his membership in several industry organizations, including CIM, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the Toronto Geological Society.

Ross D. Lawrence has been a pinnacle of the mining industry in Canada for over 60 years. Born in Toronto, Lawrence studied at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in geological engineering, followed by his Master of Commerce in mining finance, graduating in 1959. Shortly afterwards, Lawrence started his career at Watts, Griffis, and McOuat Limited in 1962. He remained with the company for decades, shaping its team of mining and geological experts. Over the course of his career, Lawrence contributed to both policy development and technological advances—he notably developed a technique for diamond drilling 12-inch diameter core for bulk sampling. Lawrence would also go on to lead the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export for two decades.

William E. Roscoe was born in Hancock, Michigan, and raised in Ontario. He attended Queen’s University for his undergraduate studies, and McGill University for his doctorate in geological science, where he graduated in 1973. Roscoe would build a strong career as an exploration geologist with Cominco and St. Joseph Explorations. Roscoe would go on to receive the CIM Vale Medal, amongst other honours. It was at Cominco that he would meet his soon-to-be business partner, John T. Postle, who was born in Kirkland Lake. Postle attended the University of British Columbia for his B.Sc. in mining engineering. He went on to earn a master’s degree in earth sciences from Stanford University, before working for major miners like Falconbridge. Outside of the partnership, Postle helped create the CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to Canadian mining.

Several decades after their first meeting, Postle and Roscoe formed Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. in 1985. Their consultancy would flourish in the years to come, becoming a respected geological and mining consulting firm. Their reputation and track record in the industry quickly branded them as professional and well-respected members of the Canadian mining industry.

Eric Sprott, born in Ottawa, is a name synonymous with success in Canadian mining investment. After receiving a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University, Sprott started as a research analyst at Merrill Lynch. Shortly afterwards, he founded Sprott Securities and began to make his mark investing in Canadian junior miners. Sprott would take on other noteworthy roles in the 2000s, such as becoming Kirkland Lake Gold’s chairman. After more than five decades of successfully investing in miners, his impacts are felt throughout Canadian and worldwide mining, but his impact does not stop there. Sprott would go on to become a generous philanthropist. Landmark donations include $50 million to the Department of Surgery at the University Health Network and $10 million to the eponymous Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. Sprott is a member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The incoming members of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame 2024 class will be inaugurated on January 11, 2024, at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre.