Jerry Blackwell

How did you get your start in the mineral industry?

I collected minerals and fossils since public school; in high school one of the teachers was a geologist (Stuart LeBaron) and he encouraged the interest in rocks through a local club and many field trips. Enrolling in geology at university was a given. I was lucky to land a summer job in 1970 (after first year) with Gulf Minerals as part of a four-man prospecting/geophysical crew, living under canvas and moving by canoe in the regions north of Rabbit Lake. As a city kid I hardly knew how to hold an ax or a paddle, but the rocks came easily. Subsequently I worked every summer, attended PDAC as a student, and was fortunate to land full-time employment with Cominco in 1974.

What was the most fulfilling project you ever worked on, and why?

I was fortunate to consult for Prime Explorations during the discovery of Eskay Creek during 1988 to 1990. Under Chet Idziszek and Dave Mallo, they did the near-impossible task of finding and drilling off the 21A and 21B Zones through incredible snow conditions and on rough terrain. It was exciting to verify assays, compile the results, lead site tours, maintain a room-sized model made of acetate sheets hung on a wooden frame, and entertain Pezim's visitors.