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Rodney Michael Samuels

It is with sadness that the family of Rodney Michael Samuels announces his passing, tragically in a vehicular accident near Kwekwe, Zimbabwe on Wednesday July 14, 2009. Rod is survived by his wife Marion, son Michael, daughter Andrea, son-in-law Ken Lord, and his new grandson Jaxon Lord. Additionally, his father Victor; mother Lucy; and a large extended family, including brothers, Steve and Tim; sisters Judy, Susie, and Wendy; and various nieces and nephews and other family members will miss him. Predeceased by his brother Victor. Rod leaves many friends in Canada, Zimbabwe, and many other countries where he has worked. Rod grew up in many communities across Canada associated with the Air Force, before graduating from high school in Courtenay, BC. A graduate of BCIT in 1968, Rod was a proud member of the rugby club as a Hooker, and was looking forward to this summer’s reunion. Rod found his career in assaying and mineral processing, initially joining BC Molybdenum, later with Fraser Laboratories, and moving on to Whitehorse Copper in the Yukon. An expert in gold processing, Rod was instrumental in the development and operation of the Carolyn, Scottie Gold, Blackdome, and Eastmaque Gold mines in Canada; and American Girl and Castle Mountain mines in the US. In senior operational roles, he constructed the mines at Brewery Creek, Yukon; and Minas Santa Rosa, Panama; as well as completed work for Trillion Resources in Zimbabwe. Not one who fit in a corporate mold, he worked as a consultant for various junior mining companies in the late 1990s on projects all over the world, including Honduras, Bolivia, China, Mexico and Canada. In 2001, he joined his good friend Roy Flowerday’s company, Bayham Mining Ltd, to become Managing Director in Southern Africa. A friend of all Zimbabwean people, while working there, he quietly ensured the nutrition, HIV treatment, and education for his employees and their children, while maintaining operations as an ongoing concern through difficult times. His tenacity, zest for life, storytelling, loyalty, and passion for his work and family will be remembered by many. A member of the CIM, he was proud that both his children chose the mining industry for their careers. The family would like to acknowledge the recent assistance of Sheena Plant, his business associate; Foreign Affairs Canada; the RCMP; Arcadia Mining and Energy, and his many associates and friends in Kwekwe and Canada. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the Canadian Diabetes Society. A memorial will be held at the Teahouse at the Filberg Lodge, Comox, British Columbia, Friday, July 24, 2009, 4:30 pm.



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