Preface by Thayer Lindsley (creater of Falconbridge complex)

The world is looking more and more to Canada as a source for the metals so greatly needed in the industrialization of both the older and youner countries so it is appropriate at this time that there should be a book recording the lives and exploits of a group of men who too often are overlooked in the history books of our time: the men who actually found the mines, who made the great discoveries of minerals on which so much of our growth and prosperity depend. ...

I have a particular interest in the stories of the men who, whether by the most careful planning and preparation or by mere blind luck - but always at the cost of hard work and perseverance -recognized the presence of worthwhile minerals and made possible the great mining industry in Canada. I take this special interest because I, too, in my own way, have been - and still am - a mine finder.

My own life in mining began many years ago in the Pacific coast state of Oregon, where I had some success in rehabilitating an abandoned copper gold mine. In 1924 I became impressed with the extent of the Precambrian formations in Canada, and I decided to concentrate my activities in this country. Whatever success I have had in the fascinating and challenging vusiness of mining has been chiefly in Canada.

Some successful discoverers of mines have been "lone wolves", while others have worked together in teams - there are examples of both these kinds of operations in this book. Personally, I attribute the several successful operations in which I was involved to the faith, skill and sheer hard work of a large number of first-rate associates I had the good fortune to be with. We worked together for the good of all, and I think we ensured fair and equitable treatment for everyone who assumed his share of the responsibility and the labour.

In my work, I have been guided by a very simple philosophy: that the place to look for ore was in old districts that showed strong mineral action. The results, I believe, have confirmed the wisdom of this philosophy. In the financing to production of these favorable areas I received much assistance from my brother, H. Lindsley and from our associates Gen. D.M. Hogarth and Joseph Errington.

Let no one think that there will not likely be any spectacular mine finds again, that we will never see another Gilbert and Charles LaBine or another Benny Hollinger. Canada is a vast country, its mineral resources barely scratched. In quite recent times we have seen some exciting discoveries of uranium, or iron ore, of base metals, of asbestos. There is no reason why there will not be many more....

To be a successful mine finder, one must have determination, knowledge, tenaacity, a rugged constitution to withstand the rigors of outdoor life and enjoy overcoming obstacles of every description. Also a little dash of imagination and enuhsiasm is helpful. Once the prespector has found what he is sure will make a mine, he must hold on; he must have faith in himself, in his own good judgment. He must find and keep trusted friends with whom he can confide and work, and he must be fair to them, as he expects them to be fair to him.

Those who can measure up to such standards can be certain of a good future and a good life. They will be the Mine Finders of tomorrow, and whose achievements I hope some day a book like this can be written. (New York March 4, 1966)