By James Brewer
A prominent personality in the international mining industry, Bradford Cooke, founder of mid-tier operator Endeavour Silver Corp, has died suddenly. Colleagues at the New York- and Toronto-listed company and his worldwide business associates have expressed deep sadness and shock at the passing of Mr Cooke, who was 67.
An accomplished geologist with nearly five decades of experience in the metals and mining industry, Brad Cooke was familiar to and popular with investors in London and other key financial centres, where he delivered regular updates in charismatic and lucid style on the progress of his company’s operations and exploration in Mexico, the leading silver mining jurisdiction.
Mr Cooke formed Endeavour with another brilliant geologist, Godfrey Walton, in 2003 to acquire and develop high grade silver-gold projects in the central American nation. Since then, the company has acquired, rebuilt and expanded four silver mines and made a significant discovery which has the potential to become Endeavour’s next cornerstone mine. The two men pursued policies of close engagement with and helping build facilities for local communities ahead of many of their comparator businesses. The company says that its “philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.”
A statement from Endeavour’s Vancouver headquarters said: “Brad has been a vibrant member of the mining community and will be dearly missed. As a professional geologist and entrepreneur, he has created shareholder value for stakeholders around the world through discovery, development and operations in his long-standing successful career. He has earned a reputation as an eternal optimist trying to shape the world for the greater good with constructive hard work.
“Throughout all his success in business, he never forgot the difficulties of the less fortunate. He collaborated on numerous humanitarian projects over many years to make a positive difference. He instilled corporate social responsibility at Endeavour from the start in the communities near our mines. He also served as president of the Silver Institute, as an industry voice in creating public awareness of the silver industry.”
Dan Dickson, chief executive of Endeavour, said: “We are incredibly saddened by this sudden loss. Brad was extremely loyal to his people. He will be sincerely missed and always remembered by a large group of family and friends around the world. I have known and worked with Brad for 15 years and I consider him my dear friend. I will always remember him for his passion, commitment and hard-working attitude. With his vibrant energy, he strove to bring out the best in those who worked with him.”
In a seamless internal board and management transition in May 2021, Mr Cooke, at the time chief executive, was succeeded by Mr Dickson, who stepped up from chief financial officer. Mr Cooke assumed the role of executive chairman, continuing to be active in the company.
Mr Cooke began his career as project geologist in 1976 managing mineral exploration programmes for uranium, base metals and precious metals across Canada with Noranda Mines, Shell Minerals and Chevron Minerals. He discovered several high-grade gold vein deposits for clients in British Columbia from 1983 to 1987, and in 1988, launched Canarc Resource Corp, which delineated a 1.15m oz gold resource at its core asset, the New Polaris gold mine project in the province.
Endeavour operates two high-grade underground silver-gold mines in Mexico and is advancing its Terronera silver-gold mine project towards a development decision, pending financing and final permits. It has so far invested more than $30m in the project.
