The Goldfields of the Klondike with Ruth DeBicki
This presentation, entitled “The Goldfields of the Klondike”, describes why the rich deposits of gold in gravel (called placer deposits) were found in the Klondike area, but aren’t found around the gold mines in Ontario. Based on historical research and field work done by our speaker during 10 years of work in the Dawson City area in the 1970s and 1980s, followed by a field trip in 2016, it will illustrate the various methods used to mine and recover the gold since its discovery in 1896, and look at past and present efforts to discover bedrock sources of the gold.
About Our Speaker
When Ruth was in Grade 8, she told her science teacher that she was going to be a geologist. He told her not to be silly; girls couldn’t do that. Things were different back then! Not to be deterred, she graduated with a B.Sc. in Geology from McMaster University in 1971 and started work with the Ontario Geological Survey. Her career was diverse and varied over the next 45 years, as she worked with provincial and federal governments, for a major mining company, as ageological consultant, and in geoscience education at Cambrian College and Science North. Along the way, she picked up an M.Sc. in geology from Laurentian University. Her activities took her through Ontario to British Columbia, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. She has had the opportunity to do mapping in the world-famous Sudbury basin and
Klondike goldfields, and develop expertise in placer gold mining. She has also had the opportunity to assist with the establishment of the Canadian Diamond Bourse,(a wholesale, rough and polished, diamond exchange) and influence policy development and land use decisions in Ontario over a period of 20 years. Ruth has been the sole author or co-author of more than 75 technical and popular publications, and the recipient or joint recipient of 15 awards for work-related excellence. Although she retired from paid employment at the end of 2016, she remains a member of 11 professional organizations, and volunteers with 5 of them. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys collecting minerals and travelling to attend Gem and Mineral Shows across North America.
Pictures: Feature Pictture:Proposed Coffee Mine, May 2016, Source CBC; second picture: Yukon Government; Mines and Resources
The June meeting will take place on June 6th, at the Knox United Church Meeting Hall beginning at 8:00 pm
Directions to our Meetings
Where:Knox United Church Hall
- 2569 Midland Avenue
Toronto (Scarborough) M1S 1R3
north-east corner of Midland and Sheppard Avenue
- We meet in the Church Hall which is the building north of KnoxUnitedChurch.
- To get to the Hall: When driving north on Midland just past Sheppard, you will pass the church which is on the corner. Then keep you eye out for a small laneway that runs south of the Hall. This leads to the parking lot behind (east) of the Hall.
If you miss the laneway, keep going till you hit a small street on your right (east) called Rural Ave.Turn right (east) and look for a driveway into the Church Hall parking lot. - The door to the Hall is visible from the parking lot. The door is propped open for the meetings. Come in the door & walk up a half a flight of stair into the hall.
- Meetings are help on the First Wednesday of the monthWhen: First Wednesday of each Month (except for July, August )
8:00 pm to about 10:00 pm- Although the meeting starts at 8 pm, try to get there earlier – the before meeting time is often just as much fun as the meeting. Come as early as 7:30 pmbecause there is always something going on.
- Before the meeting you can:
- chat with other members & guest speakers
- look at the Silent Auction Items displayed by members
- see the special guest speaker displays
- borrow a club library book from the cabinet
- sign up for workshops, classes or other volunteer opportunities at the side table
- For information on our meetings email us