NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Iconic Kidd Mine monument gets anniversary facelift
TIMMINS - For the past 50 years, the 10-ton boulder that sits outside of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce has been quietly telling the story of one of the world’s greatest mineral discoveries.
Discovered in 1963, the massive Kidd Creek orebody consisting of copper, zinc, lead and silver was a “game changer” for the Town of Timmins that was facing a critical decline in the local mining sector at the time.
Extracted from that very same orebody, the boulder has since stood as a monument to the prosperity and partnerships generated by Kidd Creek.
In recognition of those five decades of economic and community contributions, representatives from the Timmins Chamber of Commerce and Kidd came together today – just as their predecessors did in 1966 – to unveil and rededicate the refurbished monument and plaque commemorating Kidd Operations’ 50th Anniversary of production.
“Timmins has been extremely fortunate to have had Kidd as a key pillar of our economy and our community,” said Kurt Bigeau, president of the Timmins Chamber. “There are few things that symbolize that longevity and strength quite like this monument, and we’re pleased to continue to work with Kidd to ensure it stands as a testament to its contributions.”
“Kidd is proud to be part of the business community for the past 50 years,” said David Yaschyshyn, manager of environment and co-chair of the Kidd Operations’ 50th Anniversary Committee. “We felt it was important during our anniversary to restore this monument, to ensure that when the time capsule is opened in 2066 another 50 years from now, people will reflect back that Kidd Operations left a positive legacy.”
What people may not know is that in the base of the Kidd Ore Monument is a time capsule that was buried in 1966.
This capsule serves as a record of the Texas Gulf find and contains many mementos from the '60s, including newspapers from the day and the April 16, 1964 edition of The Daily Press which publicly announced the Texas Gulf Sulfur Company base-metals find.
A film reel and a radio tape accompany ore specimens, samples of various wood found in the district, coin of the realm and letters from representatives of the natural resource industry.
Encased in steel, these historic keepsakes will remain in the base of the monument, untouched, until 2066.
The Kidd Ore Monument refurbishment was a joint project between Kidd Operations and the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.
It was supported by local general contractor and Chamber of Commerce member SWM Contracting Inc. President Stefan Makuch, who donated time and materials to restore the concrete base of the monument and installed the restored original brass plaque from 1966 along with a new 50th anniversary plaque.
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