Berens River Mines
1939 to 1948
Produced 158,000 oz. gold; 5.8 million oz. silver; 1.7 million lb. zinc; 6.1 million lb. lead
Produced 158,000 oz. gold; 5.8 million oz. silver; 1.7 million lb. zinc; 6.1 million lb. lead
Berens River Mines is one of the Red Lake mining district’s most remote mines, located 120 km north of Red Lake, near Favourable Lake. The mine site was first explored in 1927 by prospector Ken Murray. The Favourable Lake Mining and Exploration Company was incorporated in 1929 to take over the property (30 mining claims) and began diamond drilling.
Berens River Mines, a subsidiary of the Newmont Mining Corporation, took control of the claims in the 1930’s. Since the mine was so far north, it was easier to bring equipment to the site from Manitoba, rather than Red Lake. The company had to build a road from the mine site to Manitoba after the provincial government refused to pay for it. The mine also established and supported a completely independent, self-serving town for employees and their families. Among other amenities, the town had a hospital, airport, jail, post office and even a bowling alley.
Berens River Mines went into production in 1939 and produced gold, silver, lead and zinc. The mine produced for nine years, closing in 1948 due to ore exhaustion. Berens River Mines produced 158,000 oz. of gold, 5.8 million oz. of silver, 1.7 million pounds of zinc and 6.1 million pounds of lead. The property reverted to the Crown in 1955.
Since Berens River Mines closed, two companies have done exploration on the site. In the 1960’s Golsil Mines revived exploration on the claims, sinking a second shaft and rebuilding the plant after a fire destroyed it in 1967. In 1971, Golsil Mines changed its name to Zahavy Mines and continued on its exploration efforts on the property. In 1988 Noramco exploration was the last company to work the once producing mine. Today, Berens River Mines is part of the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines’ Abandoned Mines Rehabilitation Program.
Berens River Mines, a subsidiary of the Newmont Mining Corporation, took control of the claims in the 1930’s. Since the mine was so far north, it was easier to bring equipment to the site from Manitoba, rather than Red Lake. The company had to build a road from the mine site to Manitoba after the provincial government refused to pay for it. The mine also established and supported a completely independent, self-serving town for employees and their families. Among other amenities, the town had a hospital, airport, jail, post office and even a bowling alley.
Berens River Mines went into production in 1939 and produced gold, silver, lead and zinc. The mine produced for nine years, closing in 1948 due to ore exhaustion. Berens River Mines produced 158,000 oz. of gold, 5.8 million oz. of silver, 1.7 million pounds of zinc and 6.1 million pounds of lead. The property reverted to the Crown in 1955.
Since Berens River Mines closed, two companies have done exploration on the site. In the 1960’s Golsil Mines revived exploration on the claims, sinking a second shaft and rebuilding the plant after a fire destroyed it in 1967. In 1971, Golsil Mines changed its name to Zahavy Mines and continued on its exploration efforts on the property. In 1988 Noramco exploration was the last company to work the once producing mine. Today, Berens River Mines is part of the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines’ Abandoned Mines Rehabilitation Program.