There's something new at the Hollinger open pit lookout.
A bust of Benjamin (Benny) Hollinger, who discovered the historic gold mine in 1909, has been unveilled at the popular lookout that gives a view of an active open pit mine in Timmins.
The Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee and sculptor Tyler Fauvelle took part in an intimate unveilling of the statue. Further enhancements — including a plaque to commemorate Hollinger and other story boards — are expected to be added to the lookout this summer.
"The bust of Benny Hollinger is not only a great addition to the lookout, but plays a significant part in respecting the history of mining in Timmins, especially the Hollinger mine," said Dawid Pretorius, Newmont Porcupine mine manager, in a news release.
Hollinger was just 24 years old when he discovered the Timmins gold mine on a trip with Alex Gillies (whom Gillies Lake is named for). It was the world’s largest producer of gold from 1910 to 1968.
RELATED: Ever wonder how the Hollinger mine was discovered?
This piece is just the latest work that Fauvelle has created to celebrate the city's founding prospectors.
He also created the bronze statues of Jack Wilson, Sandy McIntyre and Benny Hollinger in front of the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre.
The Hollinger lookout opens for the season on Saturday, June 1.
It's open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., except during blasting times.
