We have built a company that is respected as much for the success of our business, as the way we do business.
The predecessor to HDI was formed by Robert Hunter and Robert Dickinson in 1985. They founded North American Metals Ltd., which partnered with Chevron Canada in the development of the Golden Bear mine near Dease Lake, British Columbia (BC). Three years after North American Metals was forged (in 1988), the company's shareholders decided to sell to Homestake Canada for $40 million. The takeover realized a total return on equity capital ($14 million) of 190% in less than three years.
In the same year, Continental Gold Corp. began operations. The company found and explored the Mount Milligan gold-copper porphyry deposit near Mackenzie, BC and had advanced the project to the permitting stage when major mining company Placer Dome Inc. made a bid to buy the company. Continental Gold shareholders accepted an offer of C$20 per share in 1990 (total value of $177 million), realizing a total return on equity capital ($29 million) of 550% over two years.
HDI was instrumental in the development of the Kemess gold-copper porphyry deposit located in northern BC. Under the aegis of El Condor Resources Ltd., the Kemess project had reached the permitting stage when Royal Oak purchased the company in 1996. Sold at C$7 per share (total value of $103 million), the total realized return on equity capital ($21 million) was 400%. During its mine life, the Kemess South mine produced nearly 3 million oz gold and 800 million lb copper.
Farallon Mining Ltd. outlined significant polymetallic mineral resources at its Campo Morado property in Mexico, including the high grade G-9 deposit. Within a short time span of four years, Farallon developed, permitted, built and put into operation the G-9 mine, achieving commercial production in April 2009, prior to being acquired by Nyrstar NV for C$409 million in an all cash transaction that was completed on January 5, 2011.
In April 2011, the Jinchuan Mining Group acquired Continental Minerals Corporation in a transaction valued at C$447 million. Continental acquired the Xietongmen Copper-Gold Project in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in 2004 and rapidly advanced the project, completing a positive feasibility study in 2007.
HDI launched Detour Gold Corporation as an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange in February 2007. The company ceased its affiliation with HDI over the following 18 months, as it focused on advancing the development of its flagship Detour Lake Project. With initial open pit proven and probable reserves of 15.6 million oz of gold (470 million tonnes grading 1.03 g/t at a 0.5 g/t cutoff), the mine, which reached commercial production in 2013, is expected to produce an average of 650,000 oz per year over a mine life of 20+ years.
From humble beginnings
we have developed
and operated mineral properties, with a remarkable track record of bringing value to investors & communities alike.
Great Basin Gold Ltd., which ceased its affiliation with HDI in 2007, acquired and advanced mining assets in the Witwatersrand Basin of South Africa and the Carlin Trend of Nevada, USA. HDI first acquired the Hollister project in Nevada in 1997 and by 2001, had made a high grade gold-silver discovery. It acquired the Burnstone gold project in South Africa the following year, and successfully advanced it from exploration through feasibility.
Rockwell Diamonds Inc., which ceased its affiliation with HDI in 2007, acquired its South African alluvial diamond producing properties in 2006. High-value 2+ carat stones comprised a significant proportion of Rockwell's annual production.
Atlatsa Resources Corporation (formerly Anooraq Resources Corporation), which ceased its affiliation with HDI in 2007, was the first Black Economic Empowerment company in South Africa listed on North American stock exchanges. Atlatsa holds a 51% interest in Bokoni Mines (formerly Lebowa Platinum Mines) and was privatised in 2019.
Curis Resources Ltd. was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2011 and acquired 100% of Florence Copper, an in-situ copper recovery project in central Arizona, USA. Curis completed a positive prefeasibility study in 2013 and advanced Florence Copper to the final stages of permitting for phase 1 development in late 2014 when the company was acquired by Taseko Mines.
Heatherdale Resources Ltd. was listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2009 and acquired 100% of the Niblack Project, a copper-gold-zinc-silver project in southeastern Alaska, USA. Exploration was advanced, leading to an estimate of significant mineral resources for the high-grade Lookout and Trio deposits. The Company ceased its affiliation with HDI when new management assumed operatorship of the company in 2020.
Constantia Resources Ltd. was a privately held company that acquired the Maggie copper-molybdenum- silver project located in British Columbia. Exploration resulted in an substantial inferred resource of 981 million tonnes @0.35% CuEq (copper equivalent)) an increase of 6.8 times over the historical estimate. The Company ceased its affiliation with HDI when new management assumed operatorship of the company in 2021.
We create opportunities
from obstacles,
and transform
tests into triumphs
by doing things
the right way,
because we understand that
to do so is the
only way.
