The Black Donald Graphite Mine

The most important producer of graphite in Canada during the first half of the twentieth century, the Black Donald Graphite Mine was located near here. The extensive deposit of high-quality ore it exploited was discovered in 1889, but mining was not begun by the Ontario Graphite Company until 1895. Operated by the Black Donald Graphite Company by 1908, the mine increased output during World War I and in 1927 was producing approximately 90% of Canada’s graphite. Although underground workings were suspended in 1939 when the ore body was thought to be exhausted, mining was resumed within four years to meet wartime needs. All production ceased in 1954 and in 1967, the site was flooded by the headpond of the Mountain Chute dame.

Principale exploitation canadienne de graphite pendant la première moitié du XXe siècle, la mine de graphite Black Donald se trouve près d’ici. On découvre ce gisement considérable de minerai riche en 1889, mais l’Ontario Graphite Company ne commence à l’exploiter qu’en 1895. Propriété de la Black Donald Graphite Company en 1908, la mine voit sa production augmenter pendant la Première Guerre mondiale jusqu’à représenter en 1927 environ 90 % du graphite exploité au Canada. Arrêteé en 1939 parce que l’on considère le gisement épuisé, les travaux souterrains reprennent moins de quatre ans plus tard pour les besoins de la guerre. La production cesse définitivement en 1954 et, en 1967, le site estinondé par le lac de retenue de barrage de Mountain Chute.