Brief History of the Town of Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada


Home Dining & Accommodation Arts & Cultural Attractions Sports & Recreation Location Real Estate Health & Social Services Business Directory Worship History Events Calendar Site Map	Named after James Bruce, who was appointed as Governor General of Canada in 1846, the town of Bruce Mines (otherwise known as the “Jewel of Lake Huron”), was first established in that same year as a copper mining area by John Keating, Indian Agent, after exploration with Arthur Rankin, a land surveyor. Keating began mining in December, employing skilled Cornish miners who had recently emigrated from England. The Huron & St. Mary’s Copper Co. was formed to manage the miners.	This website is sponsored by: You are visitor #: *to this* page of the website**
The Bruce Mines changed ownership several times between 1847 and 1944, when they were decommissioned. Flooding and cave-ins in 1876 ended the 30-year period of active mining history. In the 1870's, agriculture and logging prospered in the wake of uncertainty with the mines. The Township of Plummer Additional became incorporated in 1891 while Northern Ontario's first town, the Town of Bruce Mines was officially incorporated in 1903. Several attempts to re-open the mines in the early 1900's saw only limited success by Mond Nickel, who shipped the quartz-copper flux ore to Sudbury. Mond Nickel shut down the Bruce Mines in 1921. The mines were decommissioned in 1944 and forestry activities have declined, but agriculture, aggregate extraction and tourism continue as the main economic activities in the area. The Township of Plummer Additional depends on Bruce Mines and other urban centres for most of its commercial and community services.

History of Mining in Bruce Mines and Area

1846

	John Keating, Indian Agent, was informed by the local native people of the location of copper minerals in the area. Keating and Arthur Rankin, a land surveyor, explored the area.
	In September James Cuthbertson, a Montreal merchant, applied for a mining license, which was declined due to a government moratorium. Cuthbertson purchased the land and Keating obtained the location west of Cuthbertson.
	Keating began mining in December, employing skilled Cornish miners who had recently emigrated from England.
	The Huron & St. Mary's Copper Co. was formed to manage the miners. Bruce Mines was named after James Bruce, Governor General of Canada.

1847

	On July 1st, the shipment of 10% copper was sold in Boston @ $25 per ton.
	The Montreal Mining Co. bought the Cuthbertson location. Refining furnaces, steam engines and concentrating mills were erected and mining veins dug to deeper levels.

1853

	The Montreal Mining Co. leased the western half of the Cuthbertson location to the Wellington Copper Mine Company of England
	The Wellington Copper Mine became the West Canada Copper Mining Co., developing the Cuthbertson location.
	Both the Montreal Mining Co. and the West Canada Co. sold shipments at the auctions in England.

1865

The West Canada Copper Mining Co. bought the remaining Cuthbertson location from the Montreal Mining Co. and leased the Keating location.

1876

Floods and cave-ins ended the 30-year period of local mining history.

1900's

Unsuccessful attempts at reopening the mines were made by the Bruce Copper Mines Ltd, the Copper Mining and Smelting Co. of Ontario and the Bruce Mines Ltd.

1915

The Mond Nickel purchased the mines, shipping ore to Sudbury as quartz-copper flux ore.

1921

In February the Mond Nickel Co. shut down the Bruce Mines.