Toburn Mine

Located at the east entrance of Kirkland Lake, Toburn Mine is a significant local landmark as it was the first operating mine in Kirkland Lake.

Its history begins in 1911, when Harry Oakes arrived at Swastika and inquired about prospecting to the east of that town. He spent the summer and fall prospecting from Goodfish south along Murdock creek, and Swastika east to Victoria Lake. He acquired many mining claims after going to recording offices in Matheson and the Bureau of Mines in Toronto. Doing this, however, he found 5 claims owned by the Burrows brothers that were to be forfeited to the crown. Not having enough money to stake and record these claims, he made a deal with Clem Foster and the Tough brothers. Their first shipment to smelters had 101 tons of ore, bringing them $46,221.00 or $457.00 per ton at $20. This was the beginning of Tough-Oakes Gold Mines and what would become a prosperous Gold Camp.

Additionally, wanting to enlarge the property, a deal was made with Swift Burnside to acquire his three claims adjoining the south. An amalgamation was effected between the two companies and the property became the Tough-Oakes Burnside Mine.

In 1915, the mine operated a cyanide mill with a capacity of 125 tons per day, employing some 300 men and producing $700,000. The mine continued to produce sporadically until 1929 when it went into liquidation and was purchased by Bunker Hill Extension Mines in 1930.

In 1931, it transferred the property for 350,000 shares to Toburn Gold Mines.

The Toburn Gold Mine closed in 1953. During its 40 year run the mine produced nearly 1.2 million tons of ore, with a grade of nearly a ½ ounce per ton. It had 4 shafts, and in total 21 levels.

The site is now run by a non-profit organization, the Toburn Operating Authority who took it over in 2008 – presenting the site for visitor’s historical and educational displays to showcase Kirkland Lake’s rich mining history.