⛏ Lake Shore Mine

The Lake Shore Mine is a gold mine located in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada. In July 1912, Harry Oakes staked claims L-2605-6 which were in the lake itself and had reverted for non-performance of work. On September 6, 1912, he registered the transfer of claim L-1557 that Melville McDougall had staked for Oakes previously. On September 23, 1911, Harry Oakes registered the transfer of claim T-16635 from George Minaker and named the property Lake Shore. In production from 1918 to 1965, the mine produced almost 8.5 million ounces of gold and represented over a third of the gold produced in the entire camp. The closure of the mine once known as the 'Jewel box of North America' in 1965 was the result of a number of factors including a declining ore reserve picture, unfruitful exploration, increased water inflow into the workings from other closed mines exceeding pump capacity and unstable workings at depth. The mill operated until 1968 re-milling historic tailings. The surface plant was demolished in 1969.