Something in reserve

We often tell ourselves that Canadian mining is a small world. Put 10 miners and mineral processors in a room and we’re sure that at least two of them have worked at the same site one time or another. Undoubtedly all 10 could be connected because Pat worked with Terry at wherever, and Terry left to go elsewhere and worked with Chris who knew Pat at a third minesite. You get the picture.

How often we forget that the mining fellowship is only part of the greater community. That point comes to mind because Cominco Ltd.’s Trail Operations is this country’s top supporter of the Canadian Forces Reserves. Doug Magoon, general manager at Trail, accepted the certificate and trophy last June in Ottawa.

The awards are given biennially by the Canadian Forces Liaison Committee, part of the Department of National Defence. They go to companies that support their employees who have volunteered for reserve training. There are 14 certificates bestowed: one national award, 10 provincial awards and three special awards. Nominations are made by the reservists, in Cominco’s case by Major Brent Warne and Master Warrant Officer Terry McKimmie (a Cominco electrician). Both are members of the 44 Field Engineer Squadron in Trail.

Cominco’s partnership with the Canadian Forces extends over 50 years. In 1949, the company offered 44 Engineer Squadron a location for its first armoury. The company donated land for a rifle range and leased more land at a nominal rate for creation of a demolition range. The company continues to offer space in its guest house for military visitors, land for training, bivouac sites for thousands of reservists, and hot showers in the dry. Several years ago Cominco allowed reservists to blow up a large dam during a major exercise–and paid for the explosives and transportation to the site. The company also supplies major training equipment on loan, at no cost. Needless to say, Cominco like all those worthy of the CFLC awards, grants employees the necessary time off without loss of seniority and actively encourages participation in the Reserve Force.

That Cominco should have such a long-standing partnership with the Forces is no surprise. The company played a key role in the supply of lead, zinc and explosives for the British army during World War II. That contribution amounted to as much as 50% of the Commonwealth’s wartime needs. And a heavy water plant, which supported early experiments in nuclear fission, was built at Trail in the 1940s.

Magoon is very proud of this award. He says, “We have a lot of respect for what Canadian Forces does for Canada, and we’re very pleased to provide ongoing support.”

And we at CMJ are very proud that the Trail Operations is a leader not only in the mining community but also the global community.