Pierre Lassonde, a generous benefactor of mineral engineering at the University of Toronto, was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame on January 11, 2013.

Philanthropist and talented businessman, Lassonde is recognized as one of Canada’s foremost experts in the area of mining and precious metals. His cumulative giving to the University exceeds $10 million, the largest contribution to mineral/mining engineering education in Canadian university history. Both the Lassonde Institute of Mining and the Lassonde Mineral Engineering Program, as well as the Lassonde Mining Building now bear his name.

In 2001, he was granted an honourary degree by the University of Toronto. Lassonde has received many other awards, including the Order of Canada in 2002, Mining Man of the Year (1997) and Developer of the Year as well as other honourary doctorates in Canada and the USA.

“Pierre Lassonde has long been a friend and benefactor to Mineral Engineering at U of T,” said Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “I am delighted that he has been honoured in this way and I extend my heartiest congratulations to him and his family on behalf of U of T Engineering.”