Bern Brynelsen‘s contributions to the mining industry have had a major impact on British Columbia’s economy.

His legendary instinct for detecting profitable mines resulted in many major mining enterprises; one of them is one of Canada’s most successful — Brenda Mines.

His conviction in a property’s viability was often put to the test – to help keep the Brenda project alive when the big mining companies weren’t interested, he mortgaged his house.

Virtually everyone in the Vancouver mining community seems to have worked for Bern Brynelsen at one time and, remarkably, virtually all seem to cherish the memory.

His perennial optimism and good humour were an inspiration and encouragement to thousands. It persuaded Noranda to invest in the province’s economy on a sustained basis and to get involved in the forest industry here as well.

In 1980, Bern Brynelsen received the H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award for mining exploration and in 1990 he was awarded the Edgar A. Scholz Award for mine development.