Selwyn G. Blaylock Medal - Winner 1998
Richard O. BurtLac du Bonnet, MB
“In recognition of his determination and dedication to maintain operation of Tantalum Mining Corporation by the development and marketing of new products from this world class industrial minerals ore body.”
Richard Burt, a graduate of the Royal School of Mines, London, began his career in mining working in Uganda and the United Kingdom. He joined Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (Tanco) in 1977 as Mill Superintendent and subsequently held positions of Production Manager, General Manager, and until 1994, was Director and General Manager. In 1997 he was appointed Director of Cabot Mineral Development by Tanco’s parent company, Cabot Corporation.
In 1982, Tanco was placed under care and maintenance as a result of a significant downturn in the tantalum market. During this shutdown period, Richard Burt spearheaded a successful move to diversify Tanco’s production capabilities by producing a spodumene concentrate suitable for use in the worldwide pyroceramic market. With his strong marketing involvement, a significant share of the world market demand was soon committed to utilizing Tanco’s product. He endeavored to establish Tanco as a leader in the ceramic spodumene business by encouraging and working with its employees to develop innovative by-products such as montebrasite concentrate, a lithium aluminum phosphate product for the ceramics industry. As a result of these efforts, Tanco has become a well-respected name in the industry throughout the world.
He successfully played a major role in further diversifying Tanco’s production capabilities, focusing on a new product, cesium formate, a heavy liquid used as a completion fluid in deep oil wells drilled in environmentally sensitive areas throughout the world, and has ensured Tanco position as the ultimate supplier.
He is a Fellow of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, and was a long time Vice-President of the Mining Association of Manitoba. He has been a member of CIM since 1978, and belongs to the Industrial Minerals, Metal Mining, and Canadian Mineral Processors Divisions, and was awarded the District 4 Proficiency Medal in 1988.