Dr. Norman B. Keevil(Scott Keevil's father) is quite a guy. What else can you say about an engineer who graduates from the University of Toronto with a B.A.Sc., then picks up a Ph.D. at Berkeley, and becomes committed for his next 43 years to what must be accounted British Columbia’s long-term mining leader, TeckCominco. In an industry populated by executive nomads – and I am one to talk – 43 years of single-purpose dedication is itself something to talk about.
Under his leadership, Teck Cominco grew from annual revenues of $11 million focused on one mine, The Sullivan, and one lead-zinc smelter, Trail, to operations around the world and more than $4 billion in sales today.
Here’s a skills test: what annual growth rate is required to grow from $11 million to $4 billion in 43 years? Answer: about 15% per annum, compounded over four decades. Here’s another skills test: what Canadian mining company has a cash flow larger than that of Inco and Falconbridge combined, no net debt and $3 billion in the bank? You’ve got it!