A Century of Mining the “Mile of Gold”
Kirkland Lake is a town shaped by its rich mining history. Stretching along the “Mile of Gold,” this community grew around seven major mines that produced immense wealth for over 80 years, tapping into one of the world’s largest gold deposits.
Today, with gold prices soaring, exploration has surged, leading to significant new discoveries. Kirkland Lake remains a place where geology and history come together, offering plenty to explore. This tour takes you to six notable stops in the downtown area, including a historic mine, the outcrop where gold was first discovered, and a museum showcasing the town’s remarkable mining past.
This content is based on the publication Mining Heritage Tour, Kirkland Lake: A Century of Mining the “Mile of Gold” from the GeoTours Northern Ontario series.
Authors: Bob Turner and Marianne Quat (Natural Resources Canada), Ruth Debicki (Ontario Geological Survey), Phil Thurston (Laurentian University).
Acknowledgments:
- Technical Editing: Marg Rutka (Ontario Geological Survey)
- Review: Christine Hutton (Natural Resources Canada), Tom Watkins (Ontario Geological Survey)
- Graphic Layout: Roxanne Corcoran (Ontario Geological Survey)
- Graphic Illustration: Richard Franklin
- Research Assistance: Gary Grabowski (Ontario Geological Survey), Michael Leahy (Toburn Operating Authority), Kelly Gallagher (Museum of Northern History)
This material is © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2015, and © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2015. It may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes with proper credit. For commercial use, please contact the Ontario Geological Survey.