Ceremonies for the induction of four mining industry pioneers into the National Mining Hall of Fame will be held Saturday, Sept. 13,2008 at the Charles F. Barber Pavilion of the Museum Convention Center in Leadville, CO. This will be the 21st Annual National Mining Museum and Induction Banquet. The four inductees are Lew Eklund, 76, Carrie Jane Billings Everson (1843-1914), "Colonel" William C. Greene (1851-1911) and Arthur L. Hawkesworth (1860- 1905).

Lew Eklund founded Eklund Drilling that is now based in Elko, NV. He invented many designs that play a major role in today's mining industry. His Cyclo Blower and various sampling devices he designed helped to revolutionize gold deposit exploration by allowing mining companies to effectively sample microscopic gold.

Carrie Jane Billings Everson discovered and proved a method for bulk oil flotation concentration of mineral ores, the precursor to modern froth flotation methods of minerals concentration. She patented her process in 1886. In the early 189Os, coworkers built and operated demonstration plants incorporating her bulk oil flotation process.

"Colonel" William C. Greene was responsible for the development of the great copper mining properties of Cananea, Mexico. In seven years, he went from ragged cattleman and adventurer to the greatest captain of industry the borderlands have ever seen.

Arthur L. Hawkesworth was a master mechanic for Anaconda Copper. He invented the detachable drill bit. His invention generated tremendous savings for the mining industry in time, in dollars and in safer operating conditions underground. His bit's long lasting contribution to improved mine economics is immeasurable.

The 21st Annual National Mining Museum and Induction Banquet will begin with an open house and reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the dinner and program at 7p.m.

The inductions will bring to 201 the number of mining "greats" whose engraved photographs and biographical sketches are installed in the National Mining Hall of Fame.

The keynote speaker will be Stanley Dempsey, executive chairman of Royal Gold, Inc. a precious metals royalty company.

Dempsey is the co-author of Mining the Summit (1986), the History of Colorado's Ten Mile Mining District, past chairman of the Colorado Historical Society and past president of the Mining History Association.

Jeffrey L. Zelms will serve as master of ceremonies. Zelms is the retired vice chairman and president of the Doe Run Co.

Leadville Municipal Judge Neil Reynolds will entertain at the grand piano. Banquet guests are encouraged to dress in Victorian attire.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, banquet attendees will embark on a tour of the historic Climax molybdenum mine atop Fremont Pass north of Leadville. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. is preparing the mine for reopening in 2010.

For reservations and information, contact executive director Bob Hartzell at 719-486-1229 or e-mail director@ mininghalloffame.org.

Lew Eklund (1932- )

If ever there was a man who epitomized the American ideal, it is Lew Eklund. Not only is he the proverbial self-made man, he is a man of conscience, integrity and remarkable generosity. Eklund is the embodiment of everything many Americans believe to be the very best in their national character.

Eklund's life reads like a book by Horatio Alger, Jr. He was born in 1932 in modest circumstances on a farm in Palermo, ND. Eklund learned early the values that have since set him apart from other men. As a child and a young man, he was the helpful, caring big brother in a family of five boys and two girls. At 18, he was on his own, working as a "jug hustler" on a seismic oil exploration crew.Then, by the time he was 28, through sheer industry, thrift and determination, Eklund had bought his first rig with wages still owed him by his boss.

Eklund named his company Eklund Drilling. And, as it grew in size and stature, he never lost sight of what was most important to him as a member of the mining industry - the welfare of the industry itself. To this end, he invented products that would revolutionize the industry. This all began with the world-renowned Gardner Denver 15W that he helped design in the mid-1960s. Eklund went on to design the Cyclo Blower and various sampling devices that helped the mining industry by allowing mining companies to effectively sample microscopic gold.

With this task behind him, Eklund decided to tackle the impact that exploratory drilling had on the environment.