<big><big><big>'''Welcome to the Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba Heritage Wiki Site'''</big></big></big>

This site is a collection of significant engineering and geoscience related projects planned, designed and/or completed within Manitoba, and around the world, by our members over the past 100 years. The site also provides background information on a selection of notable Manitoba engineers and geoscientists who have made significant contributions to the profession over its history. In addition, there is an archive of material containing association historical records such as past publications and lists of members.

Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba acknowledges that much of the engineering and geoscience work documented on this website took place on treaty territory and on the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

The purpose of these articles is to document the contribution of engineering and geoscience professionals in the development of Manitoba. All visitors to this website are invited to provide feedback on any of the content by contacting our webmaster.

Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, main purpose is to regulate the Engineering and Geoscience professions in the Province of Manitoba but also promotes the advancement of engineering/geoscience knowledge and professional development. There are also many international, national, and provincial technical societies and associations with complementary professional development objectives. It is not unexpected that these many technical societies also have documented their heritage within their scope of interest. The additional background reference material and documentation available from these organizations are particularly useful sources of information that complement the information compiled by the Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba Heritage Committee. In many cases some projects with connections to our membership have received national recognition and have been described to some degree. This wiki site endeavours to provide links to these other undertakings, to increase the breadth and depth of the information available.

The objectives of this wiki site are:
# Publish comprehensive project descriptions,
# Encourage further contribution of the knowledge base through a Wikipedia concept,
# Consolidate and leverage related information,
# Promote awareness of international and national recognition. For example, the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers (the oldest technical society in Canada) has recognized four Manitoba Projects as National Historic Sites. The project descriptions of those projects have been expanded on this wiki site to recognize this.
As the wiki site is a work in progress, we encourage your comments, corrections and additions. Please feel free to add to this body of knowledge by contributing to this site with your own past projects. If you have any comments or questions please contact us at APEGM.heritageeng@gmail.com.

As the wiki site is a work in progress, we encourage your comments, corrections and additions. Please feel free to add to this body of knowledge by contributing to this site with your own past projects. If you have any comments or questions please contact us at heritage@heritage.enggeomb.ca.

==Links==
The Heritage Committee has been collaborating with members of the Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) over the last number of years in areas of mutual interest. Much Engineering and Geoscience history has been compiled and published by the MHS and this wiki site tries to leverage as much information as possible and expand the knowledge base where practical. The same could be said for several of societies described below. Researchers are encouraged to review other possible sources to obtain as broad a history as of interest.

[[External Links]]


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[[The Keystone Professional|The full collection of past association publications]]

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<div>[[Image:2021_Jason Mann_1.jpg |thumb|300px|center|2021 - Jason Mann]]</div>
<div>[[Image:2020 Jitendra Paliwal.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2020 - Jitendra Paliwal]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2019 Ruth Eden.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2019 - Ruth Eden]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2018 Jonathan Epp.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2018 - Jonathan Epp]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2017 Lindsay Melvin.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2017 - Lindsay M.K. Melvin]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2016 Lesley McFarlane.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2016 - Lesley McFarlane]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2015 Procyshyn - Copy.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2015 - Howard Neil Procyshyn]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2014 Marcia Ruthild Friesen.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2014 - Marcia Ruthild Friesen]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2013 Dawn Joy Nedohin-Macek.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2013 - Dawn Joy Nedohin-Macek]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2012 Adam Roy Donald Pawlikewich.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2012 - Adam Roy Donald Pawlikewich]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2011_William_Bill_Charles_Girling.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2011 - William (Bill) Charles Girling]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2010 John Charles Woods.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2010 - John Charles Woods]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2009 Donald Himbeault.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2009 - Donald (Don) Denis Joseph Himbeault]] </div>
<div>[[Image:Tim Corkery, P. Geo., APEGM President 2008.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2008 - M. Timothy (Tim) Corkery]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2007 Robyn Leigh Taylor (Koropatnick).jpg|thumb|300px|center|2007 - Robyn Leigh Taylor (Koropatnick)]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2006 Digvir Singh Jayas.JPG|thumb|300px|center|2006 - Digvir Singh Jayas]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2005 Allan Douglas Silk.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2005 - Allan Douglas Silk]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2004_Arnold_Harvey_Permut.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2004 - Arnold Harvey Permut]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2003_Lawrence_Rudolph_Ferchoff.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2003 - Lawrence Rudolph Ferchoff]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2002 Mohamed (Moe) Atef Barakat.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2002 - Mohamed (Moe) Atef Barakat]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2001 Alan Jonathan Pollard.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2001 - Alan Jonathan Pollard]] </div>
<div>[[Image:2000 John Richard Hosang.jpg|thumb|300px|center|2000 - John Richard Hosang]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1999 Myron (Ron) George Britton.tif|thumb|300px|center|1999 - Myron (Ron) George Britton]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1998 Peter Washchyshyn.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1998 - Peter Washchyshyn]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1997 John Malcom (Mal) Symonds.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1997 - John Malcolm (Mal) Symonds]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1996 Catherine (Cathy) Louise Stewart.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1996 - Catherine (Cathy) Louise Stewart]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1995 Donald (Don) Glenn Osman.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1995 - Donald (Don) Glenn Osman]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1994 Doug G Chapman.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1994 - Douglas (Doug) Gerald Chapman]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1993 Carl Everett Anderson.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1993 - Carl Everett Anderson]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1992 Nicholas Patrick (Pat) Feschuk.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1992 - Nicholas Patrick (Pat) Feschuk]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1991 William (Bill) Maurice McDonald.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1991 - William (Bill) Maurice Alexander McDonald]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1990 Kenneth (Ken) Albert Buhr.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1990 - Kenneth (Ken) Albert Buhr]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1989 Garland Everett Laliberte.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1989 - Garland Everett Laliberte]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1988 William David (Bud) Christie.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1988 - William David Christie]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1987 Edward (Ted) Albert Speers.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1987 - Edward (Ted) Albert Speers]] </div>
<div>[[Image:1986 E.W.J. Clarke.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1986 - Edward (Ted) William John Clarke]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1985 R.A. Kane.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1985 - Roger Alan Kane]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1984 R.R. Foster.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1984 - Robert Ronald Foster]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1983 D.E. Cross.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1983 - David (Dave) Edward Cross]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1982 Ken Jardine.JPG|thumb|300px|center|1982 - Kenneth (Ken) Mason Jardine]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1981 R.C. Isack.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1981 - Rudy Corny Isaak]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1980 W. Saltzberg.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1980 - Walter Saltzberg]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1979 R.O. Johnson.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1979 - Richard (Dick) Allan Johnson]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1978 A.W. Gilliland.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1978 - Andrew (Andy) William Gilliland]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1977 E.F. Glass.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1977 - Edward (Ted) Francis Glass]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1976 C.R. Bouskill.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1976 - Charles (Charlie) Ralph Bouskill]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1975 D.R. Grimes.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1975 - Douglas R. Grimes]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1974 G.A. DePauw.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1974 - George Alois DePauw]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1973 C.R. McBain.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1973 - Clyde Ross McBain]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1972 S. Barkwell.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1972 - Stewart Barkwell]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1971 R. Hood.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1971 - Russell Hood]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1970 J.D. Adam.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1970 - John Douglas Adam]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1969 L.W. Blackman.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1969 - Lawrence William Blackman]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1968 F.M. Fowler.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1968 - Frank M. Fowler]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1967 R.C. Sommerville.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1967 - R.C. Sommerville]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1966 R.T. Harland.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1966 - R.T. Harland]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1965 S.J. Borqford.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1965 - S.J. Borgford]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1964 B. Chappell.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1964 - B. Chappell]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1963 T.E. Weber.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1963 - Thomas Eugene Weber]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1962 R.E. Chant.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1962 - R.E. Chant]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1961 C.S. Landon.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1961 - C.S. Landon]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1959-60 Wardrop.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1960 - William Leslie (Les) Wardrop]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1959-60 Wardrop.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1959 - William Leslie (Les) Wardrop]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1958 L.A. Batemen.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1958 - Leonard (Len) Arthur Bateman]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1957 N.S. Bubbis v2.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1957 - Nathan (Nat) S. Bubbis]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1955-1956 J. Hoogstraten.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1956 - Jacob (Jack) Hoogstraten]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1955-1956 J. Hoogstraten.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1955 - Jacob (Jack) Hoogstraten]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1953 J.L. Charles.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1953 - J.L. Charles]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1952 C.L. Fisher.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1952 - C.L. Fisher]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1950-1951 W.D. Hurst.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1951 - William Donald Hurst]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1950-1951 W.D. Hurst.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1950 - William Donald Hurst]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1949 T.W. Storey.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1949 - Thomas (Tom) E. Storey]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1946 J.W. Battershill.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1946 - J.W. Battershill]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1942 C.V. Antenbring.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1942 - C.V. Antenbring]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1939 W. Youngman.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1939 - W. Youngman]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1937 E.V. Caton.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1937 - Edwin Victor Caton]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1934 H.M. White.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1934 - H.M. White]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1932-1933 J.W. Sanger.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1933 - John William Sanger]]</div>
<div>[[Image:1932-1933 J.W. Sanger.jpg|thumb|300px|center|1932 - John William Sanger]]</div>
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==Engineering and Geosciences Wiki Articles==
===History Project===
{|
|
*[[Table of Contents]]
*[[Introduction]]
*[[Preparing to Grow (1870 - 1920)]]
*[[Growth & Development (1920 - 1950)]]
*[[Expansion (1950 - 1980)]]
*[[Refining Engineering (1980 - 2022)]]

===Hydroelectricity===
{|
|
*[[History Of Electric Power In Manitoba]]
*[[Minnedosa River Hydropower Station]]
*[[Kanuchuan Power Development]]
*[[Hydroelectric Development in Northern Manitoba]]
*[[Kelsey Generating Station]]
*[[Kettle Generating Station]]
|
*[[HVDC Transmission System]]
*[[HVdc Transmission]]
*[[Nelson River HVDC Transmission Line Foundations]]
*[[BiPole III]]
*[[Churchill River Diversion]]
*[[Lake Winnipeg Regulation]]
*[[Jenpeg Generating Station]]
|
*[[Long Spruce Generating Station]]
*[[Limestone Generating Station]]
*[[Keeyask Generating Station]]
*[[Wuskwatim Generating Station]]
*[[Pinawa Generating Station]]
*[[Laurie River Generating Stations]]
|}

===Notable People===

{|
|
*[[Association Presidents]]
*[[Award Winners]]
*[[Albert MacDonald]]
*[[Arthur Taunton]]
*[[Carson Templeton]]
*[[Catherine Stewart]]
*[[Charles Hovey]]
*[[R. Craig Sommerville]]
*[[Dennis Woodford]]
*[[Donald Brooking]]
|
*[[Donald Stephens]]
*[[Douglas Allen]]
*[[Edwin Caton]]
*[[Garland Laliberté]]
*[[Glenn Swift]]
*[[Henry Youle Hind]]
*[[John Charles]]
*[[John Sanger]]
|
*[[John Hopps]]
*[[John Shewchuk]]
*[[Judith Weiszmann]]
*[[Leonard Bateman]]
*[[Les Wardrop]]
*[[Lindsay Hovey]]
*[[Lloyd McGinnis]]
*[[Lotfollah Shafai]]
|
*[[Nestor Mudry]]
*[[Radhey Mathur]]
*[[Robert Menzies]]
*[[Ronald Harrison]]
*[[Simon James Dawson]]
*[[Wallace McQuade]]
*[[Walter Salztberg]]
*[[William Kasperski]]
|}

===Association History===
{|
|
*[[APEGM History]]
*[[The Manitoba Civil Engineers Act of 1896]]
*[[Historical Documents]]
*[[Association Presidents]]
*[[The Keystone Professional]]
*[[Annual Reports]]
*[[Engineers Before Regulation 1850-1920]]
*[[Women Breaking into the Profession]]
|}

===Transportation===
{|
|
*[[Dawson Trail]]
*[[Rothera Station]]
*[[Port Nelson]]
*[[Hudson Bay Railway]]
*[[Seaport of the Prairies]]
|
*[[Provencher Bridge]]
*[[St. Andrew's Lock and Dam]]
*[[The Foundation of the Aviation Industry in Manitoba]]
*[[Winter Roads, Travel on Ice, Snow Drifting and Permafrost]]
*[[Safe T Base]]
|}

===Aeronautics===
{|
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*[[CASSIOPE]]
*[[The Foundation of the Aviation Industry in Manitoba]]
*[[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan: Canadian Bases]]
|}

===Waterworks===
{|
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*[[Flood Controls and Protection]]
*[[James Avenue Pumping Station]]
*[[Red River Floodway]]
*[[Seaport of the Prairies]]
|
*[[Shoal Lake Aqueduct]]
*[[St. Andrew's Lock and Dam]]
*[[Winnipeg Water Supplies]]
|}

===Geoscience===
*[[Flin Flon - Snow Lake Region Deposits and Mining]]
*[[Thompson Nickel Discovery - Inco Mine]]
*[[Tyndall Stone Quarry]]
*[[Whiteshell Laboratories]]

===Other===
{|
|
*[[2014 Heritage Field Trip]]
*[[Forks Walkway and Port]]
*[[Grosvenor House]]
*[[Pine Falls Paper Mill]]
|
*[[Manitoba Hydro Place]]
*[[Union Bank Tower]]
*[[Iron Ring Ceremony]]
*[[NeuroBlate System]]
*[[The Pacemaker]]

|}

==Last 3 Articles Created==
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The Keystone Professional

2023-11-06T21:14:26Z

Abrawerman: /* 2022 */

The Keystone Professional

2023-11-06T21:14:11Z

Abrawerman: /* 2021 */

2022-03-18T22:13:24Z

Abrawerman: /* Map 1 - Insert interactive map showing Mystery Lake South area. */

Formally identified in 1751 by Swedish scientist A.F. Cronstedt, nickel is one of the most important metals in modern society. Its greatest use is as an alloy with other metals to improve their strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. When nickel is alloyed with iron and chromium, it produces its most important product, stainless steel. Canada entered the world nickel market with the discovery of the Sudbury ore body during the construction of the Trans-Canada rail line during 1883-1888. Production of nickel from Sudbury, Ontario grew to it peak during the First World War and it became the largest supplier of the metal in the world. The demand from peacetime users of nickel started growing in mid 1920s and led to the search for more nickel resources.
<br>
The initial nickel find first discovered in northern Manitoba was Mystery Lake South in the Ospwagan group of rocks around 1927.

=Map 1 - Insert interactive map showing Mystery Lake South area. =
<br>
<mapframe text="Mystery Lake" width=250 height=250 zoom=13 longitude=-122.3988 latitude=37.8013 />

However, it wasn’t until 1956 when an exceptionally rich ore body was discovered in the Moak Lake area by Dr. John F. Thompson of the International Nickel Company (INCO).
<br>

[[File:Dr John F Thompson In front of trappers prospectors cabin near Thompson 1957(Heritage North Museum Thompson).jpg|thumb|right|1000px|Dr. John F. Thompson, in front of trapper's prospectors cabin near Thompson, 1957, Photo Credit - Heritage North Museum, Thompson]]

This discovery went on to become one of the largest and most important nickel deposits in Canada. Its discovery resulted in the development of the first integrated nickel-mining, smelting, concentrating, and refining complex in the western world and resulted in the creation of the City of Thompson. When opened it was the second largest nickel producing operation in the world, only after operations in Sudbury.

Following World War II, the development of airborne geophysical surveying resulted in its frequent use to measure magnetic and conducting properties of underground rocks which were not visible on the surface. Intensive nickel exploration began in northern Manitoba around the known mineralization of Mystery Lake and Lynn Lake around 1941. However, despite extensive prospecting by INCO for ten years (1945 to 1955) in the area, no significant rich ore body was discovered. By 1955 twenty drills were boring deep along the northeast - southwest trending belt, showing evidence of large, but not rich, nickel deposits. During this time the improved airborne geophysical surveys pointed to a highly favourable anomaly about 35 km southwest of Moak Lake. There were no surface indications of the presence of ore, which was hidden under a thick blanket of muskeg and swamp. Repeated airborne surveys on adjacent parallel lines confirmed the location of a promising anomaly indicative of the deeply buried ore body.

<br>

Almost overnight diamond drilling of this anomaly began bringing back cores of the rich ore. This culminated in a major nickel discovery on February 4, 1956.

[[File:Early Diamond Rig Thompson Museum 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|left|500px|Typical Diamond Exploration Drilling Rig set up at Heritage North Museum, Thompson - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]]

Over the following months the discovery was found to be so important that by December 5, 1956, Manitoba Premier Douglas Campbell and Henry S. Wingate, President of INCO presented a program of development, which would involve an initial expenditure of $175 million, which is equivalent to $1.7 billion in 2020 dollars.

[[File:Logo Inco.png|thumb|centre|500px|Company Logo circa 1960s - Photo Credit - tba]]

This commitment led to the development of the ore body into a working mine with shafts called T1 and T3, an associated processing facility, and town infrastructure in as little as six years. In addition to this, an agreement was made between the relatively young Manitoba Hydro and INCO to develop the 160 MW Kelsey Hydroelectric Generating Station on the Nelson River in order to provide power to the remote development. Construction began on the generating station in 1957, one year after the first discovery, with the assistance of a low interest loan from INCO of $20 million.
<br>
Construction began on the mining development by the winter of 1957, with the T1 mine shaft and headframe completed in 1961.

[[File:Vale shaft IMG 6834.jpg|thumb|left|500px|Thompson T1 headframe - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2021]]

The majority of the work initially was done by engineers located at INCO’s Copper Cliff facility or by consultants located in Ontario. Gradually a significant number of University of Manitoba (U of M) graduates in geotechnical engineering were hired and subsequently promoted as mining engineers from within. Underground operations were accessed from the T1 and T3 headframes.
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
The Thompson south open pit was operated from 1986 to 1992 to mine the crown pillars of the deposit.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Open Pit Second Shaft 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson Open Pit adjacent to the T1 shaft headframe and processing complex with T3 headframe in the background - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Open Pit Mine 2017 Heritiage Committee.jpg|thumb|500px|Thompson Open Pit adjacent to the T1 shaft headframe and processing complex - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Main Shaft Processing Complex 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson T1 shaft headframe and processing complex - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>

This open pit mining was led by local U of M graduates, John Fulton, P.Eng. and Ray Prochera, P.Eng. <br>

By 1962 Thompson accounted for 11% of the world's finished nickel by producing 40,800 tonnes. Nickel production peaked in 1970 and 1971 at over 60,000 tonnes and has since declined to 23,000 tonnes by 2017. In addition to nickel, copper, cobalt, and other precious metal by-products are also recovered.<br>

A year after the agreement with the province, the town of Thompson was founded in 1957 and named after INCO's chairman, John F. Thompson. The new townsite was designed as a "planned community" in order to prevent its disorderly development common to many resource communities. Thompson was officially incorporated as a town in 1967 on Canada's Centennial Anniversary. Having reached a population of 20,000 in 1970, Thompson was then incorporated as a city during the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Manitoba's entry into confederation.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:City of Thompson Inco Mine 1988 Buckingham.jpg|thumb|500px|City of Thompson with INCO mine shaft and processing complex in the background - Photo Credit - Buckingham, 1988]] </li>

In 2006 INCO was purchased by VALE, a large Brazilian mining company, and currently operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Vale General Office 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson offices of Vale - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>

=Side Bar No. 1=
A dedication to the efforts of all the miners in Thompson area is found at the edge of the city in the shadows of the mines.
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Thompson King Miner 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson King Miner statue, south end of Thompson, east side of PTH No. 6. The statute was created by sculptor George Barone and was erected in July 1981 for Thompson’s 25th anniversary, on the site of the annual Nickel Days Festival. It was unveiled at a ceremony attended by Minister of Energy and Mines Donald W. Craik, Minister of Labour and Manpower Ken MacMaster, and Thompson Mayor Donald G. MacLean. - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
On 28 June 2010, it was rededicated at its present site by Mayor Tim Johnston, Stu Waring of Vale Manitoba Operations, and Murray Nychyporuk of the United Steelworkers, Local 6166. Others attending the ceremony were Bruce Krentz (Director of Recreation, Parks and Culture), RCMP Inspector Ken Poulson, Lorne Spicer (retired miner and model for the statue), Bill Loke (National King Miner contest organizer), Gord Martin (Honorary King Miner 2010), and Ed Crossley (Honorary Driller 2010).

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Thompson King Miner 2017 Heritiage Committee plaque 1981.jpg|thumb|500px|1981 Plaque - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Thompson King Miner 2017 Heritiage Committee plaque2010.jpg|thumb|500px|2010 Plaque - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>

=Geology and Mineralization=
The geological formation which contains the Thompson deposit is long and narrow, and is presently known to stretch from Resting Lake near Wabowden in the south to Moak Lake north of Thompson. This formation is referred to as the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) and is effectively the boundary between two major formations; the Trans-Hudson Orogen and the Superior Province. The exposed northern segment of the TNB has an orientation of N30°E, is 30–40 km wide, and is approximately 200 km long at the surface as shown in the two illustrations below.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Provincial view Thompson Nickel Belt Map.jpg|thumb|500px|Geological map of Manitoba showing locations of select nickel sulphide deposits highlighting the Thompson Nickel Belt. (Source: Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Regional View Thompson Nickel Belt.jpg|thumb|500px|Regional Geological map of the Thompson nickel belt and adjacent portions of the Kisseynew domain and Superior craton. Abbreviations: BMZ, Burntwood mylonite zone; GRL, Grass River lineament; SBF, Superior boundary fault; SLFZ, Setting Lake fault zone. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019. (Source: Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division), Note figure numbers refer to the original report]] </li>

Exploration in much of the TNB has been focused on the Paleoproterozoic Ospwagan group which arguably contains all of the nickel deposit-hosting intrusions in the belt. Two extensive horizons in the region are within the Ospwagan group and are known to contain an abundance of sedimentary sulphide, the primary ore containing nickel. It is these horizons which are believed to have been intruded by magma from within the earths crust, and produced many of the belt’s nickel deposits. <br>

Towards the middle of the Ospwagan group is the Pipe Formation, a succession of deep-water deposits, which locally contains abundant iron sulphide (See below).

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Ospwagan Group Schematic.jpg|thumb|500px|Schematic tectonostratigraphic and lithostratigraphic section of the Ospwagan group. (T), (P), and (B) indicate the lithostratigraphic positions of the mineralized ultramafic sills at the Thompson, Pipell, and Birchtree mines, respectively. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019 (Source: Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

Magnesium-rich igneous rocks, called ultramafic rocks, intruded the Ospwagan Group about 1.88 billion years ago. The ultramafic rocks were derived from magmas that were generated deep in the Earth’s mantle. In addition to magnesium, these magmas were also enriched in metals such as nickel. When these metal-enriched magmas came into contact with the iron sulphide-rich sedimentary rocks of the Pipe Formation, they interacted. The ultramafic magmas dissolved some of the solid sulphide, which was later precipitated as sulphide-melt droplets. The sulphide-melt droplets scavenged metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt from the surrounding ultramafic magma. In places these sulphide-melt droplets were able to accumulate and coalesce where they formed the high-grade nickel ores being mined today in the Thompson nickel belt. The nickel ores consist largely of the iron-sulphide mineral pyrrhotite (FeS), but within the pyrrhotite are concentrations of the nickel sulphide pentlandite (Fe, Ni9S8) and locally the copper mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). Other minerals such as pyrite (FeS2), cubanite (CuFe2S3), millerite (NiS), nickeline (NiAs), gersdorffite (NiAsS), and rare platinum-group element-bearing minerals can also be present.
<br>
About 1.80 billion years ago, after the intrusion of the ultramafic magmas, the formations of nickel-bearing sulphides in the Thompson area was subjected to a major mountain-building event known as the Trans-Hudson orogeny. This event led to intense deformation of the rocks in the area, resulting in multiple generations of folds and faults. The deformation was accompanied by intense metamorphism, with rocks exposed to temperatures ranging from 550 to 800 °C and pressures from 350 to 650 megapascals (equivalent to being buried roughly 13–23 km). At these metamorphic conditions the sulphide ore would have behaved plastically, like toffee, and flowed into areas of lower strain. This led to complex deformation of the ores and their host rocks. The Thompson mine structure is shown below. It shows all the geological formations of Ospwagan group, including the ultramafic and metadiabase rocks. The associated cross section shows a depth cross-section of the complex folded structure along line Y-Y’. The nickel mineralisation follows the folded structure of ultramafic rocks within the Pipe formation. The break in the continuity of mineralisation is exemplified in these two illustrations due to the complexity of folding and displacements caused by associated movements along fault zones.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Geology of Thompson Structure plan viewjpg.jpg|thumb|500px|Geology of the Thompson structure. Line Y-Y’ indicates the location of the cross-section below. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019 (Source Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Cross Section Geology of Thompson Structure.jpg|thumb|500px|Cross-section (Y-Y’) through the Thompson mine structure. The high amplitude, steeply inclined folds belong to the F3 generation, which refolded the overturned limb of an F2 nappe. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019 (Source Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

The rich ore at the Thompson mine is nearing the end of its mining life. However the potential for similar nickel deposits of the same age can occur all along the margin of the Superior province. Continued success in exploration near the mine is exemplified by a recent extension of the Thompson deposit, demonstrating the exceptional potential of the TNB.
<br>
As of 2018, there have been approximately 18 deposits discovered in this prolific belt including four past producing mines, three mines currently on care and maintenance, and one mine currently in production. The Thompson, Birchtree, and Pipe deposits have produced more than 150 million tonnes of nickel sulphide ore at a grade of 2.32% Ni, 0.16% Cu, 0.046% Co, and 0.83 g/t platinum-group elements (PGE). The total remaining reserves for the Thompson operation, as estimated by VALE in 2017, was 27.5 million tonnes at 1.75% nickel.
<br>
A summary of the ore produced from the 18 different deposits mined primarily for nickel in Manitoba is shown in the table below. The top thirteen of these mines are part of the TNB.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Selected Nickel Deposit Summary Table Manitoba.jpg|thumb|500px|Resource estimates include past-production, current reserves and resources as applicable. Includes Thompson, Birchtree, and Pipe deposits. Current Producer: Thompson (Vale Canada Limited): reserve (2017), 27.5 Mt grading 1.75% Ni; production (since 1961), 2.724 Mt of 99.9% pure nickel metal.
]] </li>
<br>

=Side Bar No. 2=
Mine engineering research - Manitoba engineers were involved from the late 80s into 90s in the development of computer controlled underground hauling systems, which was a first for INCO operations. The small mines research group in collaboration with the University of Newcastle and others in Canada and U.S also spear headed development of Rock Tunnel Boring machines. This work was led by Dave Phelan, P.Eng. from U of M. For INCO (VALE), engineering was not primary focus of the company, as such most of the work was farmed out to consultants, mostly based out of Manitoba (Golder Associates, Laurentian University etc.).

=Acknowledgements=
A large amount of historical information has been derived from published literature on the Thompson nickel discovery and INCO/VALE corporate literature. The geology and mineralization information has been taken from web-based reports available from Manitoba Geological Survey and open file, “Field Trip Guidebook” from C.G. Coueslan. Technical reviews, feed back and partial re-write by Christian Bohm is highly appreciated. The Heritage Committee also provided input and review.

=References=
1. Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade 2019: Nickel exploration and mining in Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, URL <https://www.gov.mb.ca/iem/geo/commodity/files/comm_nickel.pdf > [May 2019].
<br>

2. Couëslan, C.G. 2019: Field Trip Guidebook: Stratigraphy and ore deposits in the Thompson Nickel belt, Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Open File OF2019-2, 34 p. <br>

3. Nickel in Canada, Mineral Policy Sector, Energy Mines and Resources Canada (1992)<br>

4. Fraser, Hugh S. 1985: A Journey North: The Great Thompson Nickel Discovery (personal account by Geophysical Party Leader and area pioneer)<br>

5. Buckingham, G. 1988: Thompson, A City and Its People<br>

6. Thompson J. F. and Beasley N. 1960: For the Years to Come, a Story of International Nickel of Canada <br>

=Compiled by=
Ganpat S. Lodha, P.Geo. <br>

Ernie Armitt, P.Eng. <br>

Posted by Glen Cook, P. Eng. (SM).

Thompson Nickel Discovery - Inco Mine

2022-03-18T21:59:00Z

Abrawerman:

Formally identified in 1751 by Swedish scientist A.F. Cronstedt, nickel is one of the most important metals in modern society. Its greatest use is as an alloy with other metals to improve their strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. When nickel is alloyed with iron and chromium, it produces its most important product, stainless steel. Canada entered the world nickel market with the discovery of the Sudbury ore body during the construction of the Trans-Canada rail line during 1883-1888. Production of nickel from Sudbury, Ontario grew to it peak during the First World War and it became the largest supplier of the metal in the world. The demand from peacetime users of nickel started growing in mid 1920s and led to the search for more nickel resources.
<br>
The initial nickel find first discovered in northern Manitoba was Mystery Lake South in the Ospwagan group of rocks around 1927.

=Map 1 - Insert interactive map showing Mystery Lake South area. =
<br>
<mapframe text="Downtown [[wikipedia:San Francisco|San Francisco]]" width=250 height=250 zoom=13 longitude=-122.3988 latitude=37.8013 />

However, it wasn’t until 1956 when an exceptionally rich ore body was discovered in the Moak Lake area by Dr. John F. Thompson of the International Nickel Company (INCO).
<br>

[[File:Dr John F Thompson In front of trappers prospectors cabin near Thompson 1957(Heritage North Museum Thompson).jpg|thumb|right|1000px|Dr. John F. Thompson, in front of trapper's prospectors cabin near Thompson, 1957, Photo Credit - Heritage North Museum, Thompson]]

This discovery went on to become one of the largest and most important nickel deposits in Canada. Its discovery resulted in the development of the first integrated nickel-mining, smelting, concentrating, and refining complex in the western world and resulted in the creation of the City of Thompson. When opened it was the second largest nickel producing operation in the world, only after operations in Sudbury.

Following World War II, the development of airborne geophysical surveying resulted in its frequent use to measure magnetic and conducting properties of underground rocks which were not visible on the surface. Intensive nickel exploration began in northern Manitoba around the known mineralization of Mystery Lake and Lynn Lake around 1941. However, despite extensive prospecting by INCO for ten years (1945 to 1955) in the area, no significant rich ore body was discovered. By 1955 twenty drills were boring deep along the northeast - southwest trending belt, showing evidence of large, but not rich, nickel deposits. During this time the improved airborne geophysical surveys pointed to a highly favourable anomaly about 35 km southwest of Moak Lake. There were no surface indications of the presence of ore, which was hidden under a thick blanket of muskeg and swamp. Repeated airborne surveys on adjacent parallel lines confirmed the location of a promising anomaly indicative of the deeply buried ore body.

<br>

Almost overnight diamond drilling of this anomaly began bringing back cores of the rich ore. This culminated in a major nickel discovery on February 4, 1956.

[[File:Early Diamond Rig Thompson Museum 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|left|500px|Typical Diamond Exploration Drilling Rig set up at Heritage North Museum, Thompson - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]]

Over the following months the discovery was found to be so important that by December 5, 1956, Manitoba Premier Douglas Campbell and Henry S. Wingate, President of INCO presented a program of development, which would involve an initial expenditure of $175 million, which is equivalent to $1.7 billion in 2020 dollars.

[[File:Logo Inco.png|thumb|centre|500px|Company Logo circa 1960s - Photo Credit - tba]]

This commitment led to the development of the ore body into a working mine with shafts called T1 and T3, an associated processing facility, and town infrastructure in as little as six years. In addition to this, an agreement was made between the relatively young Manitoba Hydro and INCO to develop the 160 MW Kelsey Hydroelectric Generating Station on the Nelson River in order to provide power to the remote development. Construction began on the generating station in 1957, one year after the first discovery, with the assistance of a low interest loan from INCO of $20 million.
<br>
Construction began on the mining development by the winter of 1957, with the T1 mine shaft and headframe completed in 1961.

[[File:Vale shaft IMG 6834.jpg|thumb|left|500px|Thompson T1 headframe - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2021]]

The majority of the work initially was done by engineers located at INCO’s Copper Cliff facility or by consultants located in Ontario. Gradually a significant number of University of Manitoba (U of M) graduates in geotechnical engineering were hired and subsequently promoted as mining engineers from within. Underground operations were accessed from the T1 and T3 headframes.
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
The Thompson south open pit was operated from 1986 to 1992 to mine the crown pillars of the deposit.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Open Pit Second Shaft 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson Open Pit adjacent to the T1 shaft headframe and processing complex with T3 headframe in the background - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Open Pit Mine 2017 Heritiage Committee.jpg|thumb|500px|Thompson Open Pit adjacent to the T1 shaft headframe and processing complex - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Main Shaft Processing Complex 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson T1 shaft headframe and processing complex - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>

This open pit mining was led by local U of M graduates, John Fulton, P.Eng. and Ray Prochera, P.Eng. <br>

By 1962 Thompson accounted for 11% of the world's finished nickel by producing 40,800 tonnes. Nickel production peaked in 1970 and 1971 at over 60,000 tonnes and has since declined to 23,000 tonnes by 2017. In addition to nickel, copper, cobalt, and other precious metal by-products are also recovered.<br>

A year after the agreement with the province, the town of Thompson was founded in 1957 and named after INCO's chairman, John F. Thompson. The new townsite was designed as a "planned community" in order to prevent its disorderly development common to many resource communities. Thompson was officially incorporated as a town in 1967 on Canada's Centennial Anniversary. Having reached a population of 20,000 in 1970, Thompson was then incorporated as a city during the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Manitoba's entry into confederation.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:City of Thompson Inco Mine 1988 Buckingham.jpg|thumb|500px|City of Thompson with INCO mine shaft and processing complex in the background - Photo Credit - Buckingham, 1988]] </li>

In 2006 INCO was purchased by VALE, a large Brazilian mining company, and currently operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Vale General Office 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson offices of Vale - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>

=Side Bar No. 1=
A dedication to the efforts of all the miners in Thompson area is found at the edge of the city in the shadows of the mines.
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Thompson King Miner 2017 Heritiage Committee.JPG|thumb|500px|Thompson King Miner statue, south end of Thompson, east side of PTH No. 6. The statute was created by sculptor George Barone and was erected in July 1981 for Thompson’s 25th anniversary, on the site of the annual Nickel Days Festival. It was unveiled at a ceremony attended by Minister of Energy and Mines Donald W. Craik, Minister of Labour and Manpower Ken MacMaster, and Thompson Mayor Donald G. MacLean. - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
On 28 June 2010, it was rededicated at its present site by Mayor Tim Johnston, Stu Waring of Vale Manitoba Operations, and Murray Nychyporuk of the United Steelworkers, Local 6166. Others attending the ceremony were Bruce Krentz (Director of Recreation, Parks and Culture), RCMP Inspector Ken Poulson, Lorne Spicer (retired miner and model for the statue), Bill Loke (National King Miner contest organizer), Gord Martin (Honorary King Miner 2010), and Ed Crossley (Honorary Driller 2010).

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Thompson King Miner 2017 Heritiage Committee plaque 1981.jpg|thumb|500px|1981 Plaque - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Thompson King Miner 2017 Heritiage Committee plaque2010.jpg|thumb|500px|2010 Plaque - Photo Credit - Heritage Committee, 2017]] </li>

=Geology and Mineralization=
The geological formation which contains the Thompson deposit is long and narrow, and is presently known to stretch from Resting Lake near Wabowden in the south to Moak Lake north of Thompson. This formation is referred to as the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) and is effectively the boundary between two major formations; the Trans-Hudson Orogen and the Superior Province. The exposed northern segment of the TNB has an orientation of N30°E, is 30–40 km wide, and is approximately 200 km long at the surface as shown in the two illustrations below.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Provincial view Thompson Nickel Belt Map.jpg|thumb|500px|Geological map of Manitoba showing locations of select nickel sulphide deposits highlighting the Thompson Nickel Belt. (Source: Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Regional View Thompson Nickel Belt.jpg|thumb|500px|Regional Geological map of the Thompson nickel belt and adjacent portions of the Kisseynew domain and Superior craton. Abbreviations: BMZ, Burntwood mylonite zone; GRL, Grass River lineament; SBF, Superior boundary fault; SLFZ, Setting Lake fault zone. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019. (Source: Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division), Note figure numbers refer to the original report]] </li>

Exploration in much of the TNB has been focused on the Paleoproterozoic Ospwagan group which arguably contains all of the nickel deposit-hosting intrusions in the belt. Two extensive horizons in the region are within the Ospwagan group and are known to contain an abundance of sedimentary sulphide, the primary ore containing nickel. It is these horizons which are believed to have been intruded by magma from within the earths crust, and produced many of the belt’s nickel deposits. <br>

Towards the middle of the Ospwagan group is the Pipe Formation, a succession of deep-water deposits, which locally contains abundant iron sulphide (See below).

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Ospwagan Group Schematic.jpg|thumb|500px|Schematic tectonostratigraphic and lithostratigraphic section of the Ospwagan group. (T), (P), and (B) indicate the lithostratigraphic positions of the mineralized ultramafic sills at the Thompson, Pipell, and Birchtree mines, respectively. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019 (Source: Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

Magnesium-rich igneous rocks, called ultramafic rocks, intruded the Ospwagan Group about 1.88 billion years ago. The ultramafic rocks were derived from magmas that were generated deep in the Earth’s mantle. In addition to magnesium, these magmas were also enriched in metals such as nickel. When these metal-enriched magmas came into contact with the iron sulphide-rich sedimentary rocks of the Pipe Formation, they interacted. The ultramafic magmas dissolved some of the solid sulphide, which was later precipitated as sulphide-melt droplets. The sulphide-melt droplets scavenged metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt from the surrounding ultramafic magma. In places these sulphide-melt droplets were able to accumulate and coalesce where they formed the high-grade nickel ores being mined today in the Thompson nickel belt. The nickel ores consist largely of the iron-sulphide mineral pyrrhotite (FeS), but within the pyrrhotite are concentrations of the nickel sulphide pentlandite (Fe, Ni9S8) and locally the copper mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). Other minerals such as pyrite (FeS2), cubanite (CuFe2S3), millerite (NiS), nickeline (NiAs), gersdorffite (NiAsS), and rare platinum-group element-bearing minerals can also be present.
<br>
About 1.80 billion years ago, after the intrusion of the ultramafic magmas, the formations of nickel-bearing sulphides in the Thompson area was subjected to a major mountain-building event known as the Trans-Hudson orogeny. This event led to intense deformation of the rocks in the area, resulting in multiple generations of folds and faults. The deformation was accompanied by intense metamorphism, with rocks exposed to temperatures ranging from 550 to 800 °C and pressures from 350 to 650 megapascals (equivalent to being buried roughly 13–23 km). At these metamorphic conditions the sulphide ore would have behaved plastically, like toffee, and flowed into areas of lower strain. This led to complex deformation of the ores and their host rocks. The Thompson mine structure is shown below. It shows all the geological formations of Ospwagan group, including the ultramafic and metadiabase rocks. The associated cross section shows a depth cross-section of the complex folded structure along line Y-Y’. The nickel mineralisation follows the folded structure of ultramafic rocks within the Pipe formation. The break in the continuity of mineralisation is exemplified in these two illustrations due to the complexity of folding and displacements caused by associated movements along fault zones.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Geology of Thompson Structure plan viewjpg.jpg|thumb|500px|Geology of the Thompson structure. Line Y-Y’ indicates the location of the cross-section below. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019 (Source Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Cross Section Geology of Thompson Structure.jpg|thumb|500px|Cross-section (Y-Y’) through the Thompson mine structure. The high amplitude, steeply inclined folds belong to the F3 generation, which refolded the overturned limb of an F2 nappe. After Coueslan, C.G. – 2019 (Source Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Resource Development Division)]] </li>

The rich ore at the Thompson mine is nearing the end of its mining life. However the potential for similar nickel deposits of the same age can occur all along the margin of the Superior province. Continued success in exploration near the mine is exemplified by a recent extension of the Thompson deposit, demonstrating the exceptional potential of the TNB.
<br>
As of 2018, there have been approximately 18 deposits discovered in this prolific belt including four past producing mines, three mines currently on care and maintenance, and one mine currently in production. The Thompson, Birchtree, and Pipe deposits have produced more than 150 million tonnes of nickel sulphide ore at a grade of 2.32% Ni, 0.16% Cu, 0.046% Co, and 0.83 g/t platinum-group elements (PGE). The total remaining reserves for the Thompson operation, as estimated by VALE in 2017, was 27.5 million tonnes at 1.75% nickel.
<br>
A summary of the ore produced from the 18 different deposits mined primarily for nickel in Manitoba is shown in the table below. The top thirteen of these mines are part of the TNB.

<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:4.3.5 Selected Nickel Deposit Summary Table Manitoba.jpg|thumb|500px|Resource estimates include past-production, current reserves and resources as applicable. Includes Thompson, Birchtree, and Pipe deposits. Current Producer: Thompson (Vale Canada Limited): reserve (2017), 27.5 Mt grading 1.75% Ni; production (since 1961), 2.724 Mt of 99.9% pure nickel metal.
]] </li>
<br>

=Side Bar No. 2=
Mine engineering research - Manitoba engineers were involved from the late 80s into 90s in the development of computer controlled underground hauling systems, which was a first for INCO operations. The small mines research group in collaboration with the University of Newcastle and others in Canada and U.S also spear headed development of Rock Tunnel Boring machines. This work was led by Dave Phelan, P.Eng. from U of M. For INCO (VALE), engineering was not primary focus of the company, as such most of the work was farmed out to consultants, mostly based out of Manitoba (Golder Associates, Laurentian University etc.).

=Acknowledgements=
A large amount of historical information has been derived from published literature on the Thompson nickel discovery and INCO/VALE corporate literature. The geology and mineralization information has been taken from web-based reports available from Manitoba Geological Survey and open file, “Field Trip Guidebook” from C.G. Coueslan. Technical reviews, feed back and partial re-write by Christian Bohm is highly appreciated. The Heritage Committee also provided input and review.

=References=
1. Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade 2019: Nickel exploration and mining in Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, URL <https://www.gov.mb.ca/iem/geo/commodity/files/comm_nickel.pdf > [May 2019].
<br>

2. Couëslan, C.G. 2019: Field Trip Guidebook: Stratigraphy and ore deposits in the Thompson Nickel belt, Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Open File OF2019-2, 34 p. <br>

3. Nickel in Canada, Mineral Policy Sector, Energy Mines and Resources Canada (1992)<br>

4. Fraser, Hugh S. 1985: A Journey North: The Great Thompson Nickel Discovery (personal account by Geophysical Party Leader and area pioneer)<br>

5. Buckingham, G. 1988: Thompson, A City and Its People<br>

6. Thompson J. F. and Beasley N. 1960: For the Years to Come, a Story of International Nickel of Canada <br>

=Compiled by=
Ganpat S. Lodha, P.Geo. <br>

Ernie Armitt, P.Eng. <br>

Posted by Glen Cook, P. Eng. (SM).

Association Presidents

2021-03-23T16:44:10Z

Abrawerman:

File:2021 Jason Mann 1.jpg

2021-03-23T16:44:04Z

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2021-01-18T22:50:43Z

Abrawerman: /* 1998 */

File:98oct.pdf

2021-01-18T22:49:51Z

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2021-01-18T22:25:47Z

Abrawerman: /* 1988 */

File:1988-12 Manitoba Professional Engineer.pdf

2021-01-18T22:25:29Z

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