Philanthropist and talented businessman, Pierre Lassonde is recognized as one of Canada’s foremost experts in the area of mining and precious metals. In 1980, Pierre began ten years as President of the gold division of Beutel, Goodman & Company, directing its highly successful gold investment fund. Pierre co-founded Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation with Seymour Schulich in 1982 and over a 20 year period, provided shareholders with a 36% annualized rate of return. He became post-merger President of Newmont Mining Corporation in 2002 – the world’s largest gold producer. From January to November 2007, Pierre was Vice Chairman of Newmont Mining Corporation. In 2008, Pierre led a group of investors in bringing back Franco-Nevada to the public market and became its Chairman.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seminaire de St. Hyacinthe of the University of Montreal in 1967, he went on to study electrical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique, where he received his Bachelor of Science in 1971. He graduated with a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Utah in 1973 and was designated a Professional Engineer by the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1976. Mr. Lassonde earned the qualification of Chartered Financial Analyst from the University of Virginia in 1984. He has been conferred with several Honorary Doctor degrees from the University of Toronto (2001), University of Montreal (2002), University of Utah (2006) and Ryerson University (2006).
In addition to his support of the Lassonde Mineral Engineering Program and the Lassonde Institute at the University of Toronto, his philanthropic activities have included the funding of academic buildings at the Ecole Polytechnique, establishing the Lassonde New Venture Development Center at the University of Utah and serving as Chairman of the Quebec National Art Museum. In 2003, Pierre was awarded membership in the Order of Canada.
With over 25 years of experience in the mining and investment business, Pierre is one of Canada’s leading gold analysts and is the author of the Gold Book, The Complete Investment Guide to Precious Metals.
Two part interview on King World News on 5/26 and 5/27. Queenbee
Part I
http://www.kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast/Entries/2010/5/26_Pierre_Lassonde.html
Part II
http://kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast_Gold+/Entries/2010/5/29_Pierre_Lassonde__II.html