About
Related Experience and Training - Brian Fowler
I have been interested in rocks since the age of seven and have been a member of several rock and mineral clubs providing me with numerous field trips rock-hounding. During the summer of 1980 I worked at the Detour Lake mine for J.S. Redpath. In the fall of 1980 I attended Carleton University in Ottawa to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, geology major. My return to the work force in 1981 prevented my continuation of this post secondary education.
I moved to Marathon in 1982 to do some prospecting with my grandfather Arthur Wright during the Hemlo rush. My grandfather was instrumental in my initial interest as a rock collector, having been involved in the mining industry all his life.
In October 1982, I hired on with Dave Bell, who was then conducting a drill program on the Goliath/Golden Sceptre properties in the Hemlo camp. My chief duties involved core splitting and shipping rock samples. In November, Noranda Exploration took over the project and I was transferred to their payroll. For the next two years I performed a number of duties such as core splitting, soil sampling and down hole surveying. In February 1985 the exploration boom was over, so I took up permanent employment with the David Bell mine, now owned and operated by Barrick/Teck-Cominco. I worked at the mine for three years as a shipper/receiver.
In December 1988 I changed employers and began working for Marathon Pulp, the local pulp mill. My employment ended when the mill shut down in March 2009 and I am currently looking for work elsewhere.
Since my arrival in 1982, I have actively explored the greenstone belt searching for both precious and base metals. During the summer months a Ministry geologist periodically resides at the Resident MNDM Office in Marathon. I take this opportunity to visit them with samples I've collected and listen to their advice.
I have attended a basic prospecting course and have also participated in the Prospectors Tent at the annual Mining Symposium in Thunder Bay. I have visited and gone underground at all three Hemlo mines, the Geco mine and the Winston Lake mine.
Over the years I have gathered a good sound knowledge of mining exploration and gained invaluable advice from numerous Company and Ministry geologists. Having spent the majority of my time in this belt, I am very familiar with the geology and showings from White River in the east, to Schreiber in the west and Manitouwadge in the north. I use this to my advantage to acquire properties in the belt with good potential for both base metal and precious metal discoveries.