INCO Medal - Winner 1999
Norman B. KeevilVancouver, BC
“In recognition of his role in building Teck Corporation into a major mining company with his ability to recognize emerging situations in their early stages.”
Currently President and Chief Executive Officer, Teck Corporation, Dr. Keevil has been with the company since 1962. He played a pivotal role in the building of Teck Corporation from a small mining company to one of the largest diversified mining companies in the world. Teck Corporation has had the foresight and acted where other equally viable companies have only reacted. His vision enabled Teck to participate in and bring its expertise to developments such as the Hemlo camp and the Louvicourt mine. He has also made notable contributions to the industry outside his association with the company. He made a significant contribution to the development of the Mining Association of Canada's Environmental Policy while Chairman of the MAC, a key policy meant to address the mining industry's publicly perceived role as a significant polluter and to ensure sustainable economic development.
Dr. Keevil is also especially recognized in being nominated for this award for his vision in seeing the potential in the acquisition and restructuring of Cominco, of which Teck took control in 1986. Cominco subsequently opened the Red Dog and Snip mines and successfully completed major construction and modernization of the Trail smelter, thus ensuring Cominco's role as a dominant force in world zinc markets. Cominco has also expanded into Latin America with the Quebrada Blanca mine in Chile and the Cajamarquilla zinc refinery in Peru. He is Chairman and a Director of Cominco Limited.
He is also noted for his vision in support of the acquisition of the moribund Balmer (Westar) and Quintette coal mines in British Columbia. Teck acquired both these bankrupt properties and rejuvenated them, providing employment to 1,500 people and some 2,200 millions of dollars in foreign exchange revenue.
He has also made considerable contributions to mankind. He was instrumental in raising funds necessary to acquire the Pinch Mineral Collection for the Museum of Natural Sciences, an effort of benefit to all Canadians. He was a Director of EXPO 86. He has been instrumental in fostering mining industry participation at major educational institutions. He has been prominent in funding a Research Chair for exploration geoscience at The University of British Columbia and a major supporter of the Mining Association of British Columbia's secondary school education program.
He provided support for the construction of the Mine Games Exhibit at Science World in Vancouver, and in scholarship funding in Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario, and for the establishment of a Canadian Mining Chair at the Mining Centre of the Engineering Faculty of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.
In 1987, he was named Businessman of the Year by the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, was named Entrepreneur of the Year - Pacific Region, by B.C. Business, was nominated an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by The University of British Columbia, and is an Honorary Director of the Panama Chamber of Mines. In 1990, he received the CIM's Selwyn G. Blaylock Medal.