Historic prospectors immortalized: Timmins prospectors' group takes on centennial project.

• Author: Cowan, Liz
• Position: TIMMINS

Two years ago, three of Timmins' historic prospectors were inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Next year, a group wants to immortalize them by erecting three bronze statues as part of the city's centennial celebrations.

The Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association (PPDA) has been raising funds to have seven-foot statues of Jack Wilson, Sandy McIntyre and Benny Hollinger erected in Hollinger Park in 2012.

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"We received a grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage for $90,000, which is half of what we require, and we raised $45,000 so far,"' said Dean Rogers, president of the PPDA.

Sculptor Tyler Fauvelle, based in Lively, has been commissioned to create the monuments. The first two are complete and ready for casting, and work has begun on the third.

"It really is the most lasting and tangible expression to commemorate these renowned prospectors," Rogers said. "They are an integral part of the city's history"

Wilson (1872-1948) was responsible for finding the Dome Mine, McIntyre (1869-1943) staked the McIntyre Mine, and Hollinger (1885-1919) is credited with discovering the Hollinger Mine.

The Porcupine gold rush started in 1909 and by 2001, the Porcupine Gold Camp had mined more than 67 million ounces of gold. Unfortunately, the three prospectors did not gain a fortune from their historic finds. Hollinger died at the age of 34, Wilson lost most of his money on wheat speculation and McIntyre traded his shares for $300 and spent the remainder of his years as a prospector.

"The installation of these statues will by the final event of our four-year...