Born in 1936, the son of a mining engineer and superintendent, Jim Redpath grew up yards from the mine’s bunkhouse. The idea of starting a mining contracting company was not that far-fetched. Graduating himself as a mining engineer in 1958, Mr. Redpath began his career as a miner, a Timberman’s helper, soon a stope miner then a shift boss by 1960. Despite being raised surrounded by prospectors, diamond drillers, miners and engineers, he aspired to be a shaft sinker. One day he too would ride the ‘“Bucket Rim.’

Mr. Redpath eventually reached his goal of becoming a shaftman and eventually shaft leader, but soon found himself curious about what it would be like to run his own mine contracting company. Driven by his strong work ethic, his 26 years of age and nothing to lose, he jumped in with both feet. The company J.S. Redpath Limited was incorporated in October, 1962. By 1967, J.S. Redpath Limited had secured over 5 projects. One of these founding projects broke a decades old North American record. Creighton Mine, No. 9 Shaft, located in Ontario, Canada was the deepest North American shaft at that time. The project had been completed having overcome many obstacles putting the J.S. Redpath Limited name on the metaphorical mining industry map.

Headquartered in North Bay, Ontario, the company has since established itself as a premier provider of mine contracting worldwide. Redpath has built a solid reputation for being innovative and for conquering steep challenges. Redpath’s employees are the heart of the company’s success and it remains through them that the company will continue to expand and flourish. Standing by the Redpath Philosophies and Guidelines, employees continue to keep the company’s motto SAFETY – FIRST, LAST AND ALWAYS as alive today as it was when the company began, sixty years ago.