Vice President Mining, Teck Corporation and President and CEO, Cominco Limited

Bob Hallbauer was a builder at heart and one of Canada’s most esteemed mining engineers. He is best recognized for developing a series of mines that led to major growth and success for both Teck and Cominco.

A West Kootenay native, Bob graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1954 with a B.A.Sc. in mining engineering. Soon after, he joined Placer Development as an underground miner and quickly advanced to the position of manager.

In 1968, Bob joined Teck as Vice President of Mining. Over the next several years, he spearheaded the construction and operation of many mines. Each was completed on time and on budget, a record Bob achieved in good times and bad.

Bob became president and CEO of Cominco after Teck acquired control of it in 1986. He led the construction of the Red Dog zinc mine in Alaska and the Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile, making Teck an international leader in Western Hemisphere mining.

Bob was a man of vision who played a key role in the evolution of Teck from a modest producer to one of the world’s largest mining companies.

Known for his sense of humour, frankness and as a real straight shooter, Bob received The Northern Miner’s ‘Man of the Year’ award in 1982, the CIM’s Inco Medal in 1992 and was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 1996. He remains an icon as an innovative leader and spokesperson for Canadian mining.