Eion Matheson Cameron 1933–2014

Abstract

On May 30th of 2014 we lost a truly gifted and outstanding geochemist, pioneer, loyal friend, co-founder of the Association of Applied Geochemists (then the Association of Exploration Geochemists, AEG, and now AAG), and founder of the Association’s first journal, the Journal of Exploration Geochemistry (JGE): Eion M. Cameron. Most of Eion’s long and illustrious career was spent at the Geological Survey of Canada (1966–2000) as both a research geochemist and as Head of the Applied Geochemistry Subdivision, comprising some 32 scientists and technical staff. A major emphasis of Eion’s research was on the development, testing and application of new and improved methods of detecting ore deposits both at surface and buried at depth. His accomplishments in this area are diverse. For example, he established lake sediment and water geochemistry as an effective mineral exploration tool in Canada’s north. In 1972, Eion carried out the first regional-scale geochemical survey in Canada, sampling lake sediments and waters over 93 000 km2 of the Northwest Territories in only six weeks with three choppers and one float plane. Some of the discoveries, as a result, are the Yava and Hackett River VMS deposits. This survey paved the way for Canada’s National Geochemical Reconnaissance Program. Still in the 1970s, he led the first GSC multi-disciplinary multi-agency …