Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my deep concern for the nine Canadians whose helicopter crashed yesterday heading home from Kumtor gold mine in Russia, where they were struggling to bring a new mine into production.
Throughout history the lure of gold has prompted prospectors to face incredible hardships, often only with a packhorse, a pick, a shovel, or a gold pan. The helicopter serves as the modern prospector's packhorse, so all of us in the mining industry can readily sympathize when an accident involves these vehicles.
Gold has its own way of calling us, so precious and fundamental in value. Despite the very real hardships involved, the search for gold will continue to beckon Canadian prospectors and mine developers to snowy mountain tops around the world. Meanwhile, our prayers and good wishes go out to all 15 people on board, as well as to their families.