Caption
Some say it is easier to get into Buckingham Palace than through these gates at Mwadui, Tanganyika. Closely guarded by husky native policemen, the padlocked gates are part of an elaborate security system surrounding the richest deposit of diamonds in the world. The story of how a Canadian geologist discovered the rich mother lode after 6 failure-filled years is one of undeviating scientific conviction and infinite courage.
Release Date
January 28, 1958
Materials
Typescript with illustrations
Collection
CMCP fonds
Credit Line
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography fonds, National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives
Caption
Billionaire John Thoburn Williamson, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., Hon. D.Sc., (who died Jan. 7th, 1958), lived a modest, almost spartan existence within the Mwadui compound. He claimed he had but one love and one interest, and it was not diamonds, but mining.
Date
January 1, 1957
Accession Number
LAC-NFB84054
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176693
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
Chief geologist Tremblay is working on a study of other areas of Tanganyika to locate other diamond and uranium fields. Above, he inspects aerial "spotting" photographs which coordinate magnetometer findings.
Date
January 1, 1957
Accession Number
LAC-NFB84055
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176694
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
One of the major problems at Mwadui was to get sufficient water for plant operations. A dam was built a few miles from the mine and a catchment basin created which mine employees use also as a sailing club. A new and larger basin has recently been completed.
Date
January 1, 1957
Accession Number
LAC-NFB84056
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176695
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
The Mwadui deposit is a deep vertical kimberlite "pipe" topped by a shallow spreading layer like an ice-cream cone. Williamson's firm, still dredging diamonds from the surface, is years away from tapping the pipe's main supply. About 50% or Mwadui's diamonds are gem stones, 4-5 times as valuable as industrials.
Date
January 1, 1957
Accession Number
LAC-NFB84057
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176696
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
Underneath this towering baobab tree, 6 gruelling years of prospecting came to an end for Dr. Williamson. Here, long years of careful scientific calculation paid off. when he discovered his first diamond, only a few inches below the surface of the earth Above, right, Canadian geologist Dr. Mousseau Tremblay from Montreal and Mr. P. Getliffe.
Date
January 1, 1957
Accession Number
LAC-NFB84058
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176697
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Photostory #142: Canada's Late "King of Diamonds"
Photographers
,
Maker
National Film Board of Canada
Release Date
January 28, 1958
Collection
CMCP fonds
Credit Line
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography fonds, National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives
Main Text
Some say it is easier to get into Buckingham Palace than through these gates at Mwadui, Tanganyika. Closely guarded by husky native policemen, the padlocked gates are part of an elaborate security system surrounding the richest deposit of diamonds in the world. The story of how a Canadian geologist discovered the rich mother lode after 6 failure-filled years is one of undeviating scientific conviction and infinite courage.
Subjects:
Locations:
