09 July 2024

CIM Life Member James M. Franklin passed away on June 19, 2024, at the age of 81. Franklin was a distinguished geoscientist who helped build and advance the knowledge base of Canada’s minerals industry. Franklin served the minerals sector as a geological consultant, educator, author and lecturer, and industry ambassador. 

Born in North Bay, Ontario, Franklin earned BSc (1964) and MSc (1967) degrees from Carleton University, and his PhD (1970) from the University of Western Ontario, where his research on mineral deposits of the Proterozoic rocks of the north shore of Lake Superior laid the groundwork for his subsequent career as Canada's preeminent expert on the origin of Precambrian ore deposits. 

Franklin began his professional career as the first professor of economic geology at Lakehead University. In 1975, he moved to the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), where he directed major research programs on volcanogenic massive sulfide and gold deposits in the Churchill and Superior provinces. In 1981, he pioneered Canada's marine minerals program where he conducted exploration of hydrothermal vents onboard the deep-sea submersible Alvin. Between 1993 and 1997, Franklin held the position of chief scientist of the GSC, managing the GSC’s entire scientific program until his "retirement" in 1998. He then went on to establish Franklin Geosciences, a consultancy that contributed to the discovery of ore deposits worldwide. 

Never one to slow down and truly retire, Franklin continued throughout his career to serve as director of exploration and scientific advisor for several companies, supported many professional, academic and industry associations and causes, and was a passionate mentor of young geoscientists. He received numerous awards for his achievements, including the CIM awards Julian Boldy Geological Society Service Award (2004), the Selwyn Blaylock Canadian Mining Excellence Award (2006), a CIM Distinguished Lecturer (2010). He was also awarded the Penrose Gold Medal from the Society of Economic Geologists and the Logan Gold Medal from the Geological Association of Canada. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2019. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Franklin was known for his intellect, humour, eternal optimism, generosity and good nature. He endeared himself to all with his field stories about encounters with bears, capsizing canoes and contorting his six-foot-two-inch frame into the tiny Alvin submersible during the long hours of deep-sea exploring. 

Franklin will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, the stories he shared and the enduring impact of his work.