CANADIAN MINERAL ANALYSTS
ANALYSTES DES MINERAUX CANADIENS

HISTORY

The formation of a society for chemists, analysts, and assayers originated with Mr. John Gilles of Noranda Mines. His participation in attempting the formation of such an organization dates back to the 1930’s, then again after the war in the 1948-49 era, and later in the 1960’s. The idea was not totally accepted on those occasions. In 1965 the situation changed. When Mr. Gilles became General manger of Noranda’s 22 laboratories he found a more receptive audience at the management level to the idea of a society for chemists and assayers. Environmental and trace element problems and the importance of meeting government standards made it obvious to top level people in the industry that closer liaison between laboratories was essential. Mr. Gilles sent out letters to every mine manager indicating this and the action he was proposing. The response was unanimously in favour of such a meeting. The first meeting was held on October 8th, 1969, in Noranda, Quebec. Several papers were presented after which a discussion followed regarding any interest in Mr. Gilles proposal to form a society for analysts. The response was unanimously in favour of such an organization and the Canadian Mineral Analysts was born.

Scholarships

The CMA provides financial assistance by means of scholarships to students at Canadian colleges who are enrolled in mineral science or chemical technology programs. Two scholarships are awarded, (provided the CMA has adequate funds) at each of the colleges annually. The awards are not only made on the basis of the student’s academic performance but students are evaluated by the college on their involvement, commitment and overall motivation towards pursuing a career in the Canadian mining industry. Two of the scholarships are named in honour of CMA members who were long time members and have been staunch supporters of the CMA and its activities. The individuals are Dr. Ian Devereux and Mr. James Tweed.

The Ian Devereux Scholarship was created in 2009 at the Bathurst, New Brunswick conference. The scholarship is presented to students enrolled at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario. Dr. Ian Devereux is the Managing Director and owner of Rocklabs, a company that manufacturers sample preparation equipment for the mining industry. He has a MSc (Honours) degree in Chemistry as well as a PhD in Geochemistry. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Professional achievements include receiving the ANZAC Fellow awarded by the Australian Government and the 1996 Mineral Industry Operating technique award from the AusIMM. Dr. Devereux has been a CMA member since 1967 and was presented with a Lifetime Membership in 2008 in recognition of his contributions to the CMA. As an international traveler Dr. Devereux has promoted the CMA world wide.

The James Tweed BCIT Scholarship is presented annually at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver. James Tweed, a founding member of the CMA and a past managing secretary had a lifetime commitment to the Canadian mining industry having worked 25 years with Dome Mines. 10 years as a lab manager at Dome’s Sigma Mine in Val Dor, Quebec and 15 years as a lab supervisor at the Dome Mine property in Timmins Ontario. He died August 23, 1992. In 1992 at the Val d’Or, Quebec conference it was decided to name the BCIT scholarship in his honour. His feelings for the CMA are best reflected in these words from his last managing secretary’s report in 1989:

I like to think that our success as an organization is due to many factors such as good fellowship, a chance to discuss problems with your peers, an opportunity to see and discuss the latest technology with a variety of exhibitors. I also think it is important for our membership to attend our annual meetings as it gives them a break from the daily grind and I am sure they all return to their respective laboratories with a sense of renewal”.

Summary

The Canadian Mineral Analysts Association has done much to promote the communication of analytical technology in the Canadian mining industry. The annual conference and exhibit continues to provide an opportunity for analysts, technical staff, and mangers to exchange information and to develop lasting and meaningful contacts with their colleagues in the mining industry and with manufacturers and suppliers of analytical equipment and related products and services. The CMA publishes the proceedings of each annual conference which contains all the technical and informational papers presented at the conference and makes them available to all CMA members and conference attendees.