Reader Rebuttal (August 01, 2007)

Story behind Musselwhite’s caribou

I must admit to being thrilled to see one of my photos gracing the cover of this month’s CMJ [June 2007], namely the caribou exiting the conveyor ramp at Musselwhite mine.

Here’s the story behind the photo, which was taken in January 2005. A lone caribou was spotted running through the office/workshop area of the mine early in the morning, followed a few minutes later by a pair of wolves. We knew that there were caribou herds to the north, but no-one could recall ever having seen one around the mine itself. A short while later, the caribou was spotted heading down the conveyor ramp and disappearing through the conveyor portal. We finally managed to intercept it on the 220-m level, and a pair of Toyota trucks herded it back to surface.

The Mine Superintendent of the time came to my office and told me to bring my camera, as we wanted a record of the unusual event, with the cover shot being one of a series taken. The caribou was last seen running past the workshop area of the mine.

Rohan Millar, geological co-ordinator

Goldcorp Canada Ltd.

Musselwhite mine

Northwest Ontario