Stephen Wilkinson

How did you get your start in the mineral industry?

After a short stint in the armed forces in 1972, I took a job with Bethlehem Copper Corp. The position was in the head office but it afforded me many opportunities to meet many influential mining people such as Herman H. “Spud” Huestis, Mike Muzylowski, Hank Ewanchuk, Brian Reynolds and many others. This led me to decide on a career in mining - starting with applying to university. At the University of Western Ontario, I met more great people both professors and other students that cemented my interests in mining, mineral exploration and the "art" of geology.

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

In August 1985, I headed a multi-disciplinary team that was sent to the Hindustan copper mine in Khetri Nagar, a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. Our team worked on integrating the mining operation with a Canadian built ore sorter. At same time, other international teams were at work refurbishing the historical operation. There were teams from Sweden, the Soviet Union and Australia, and we all interfaced well. In fact we all came away after making lifelong friendships - regardless of country and political affinities. The opportunity also was there for me to tour and visit several historical sites around northern India.