Image courtesy of The Canadian Encyclopedia - https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/resources
At Eldorado Resources Limited
Commemoration
A pioneering operation in the development of nuclear energy, the Eldorado refinery was established in 1933 by Gilbert LaBine, a veteran prospector, and his brother Charles. It extracted radium, used in the early treatment of cancer, from ore mined in the Northwest Territories. In 1942, soon after the uranium atom was split for the first time, the Canadian government acquired Eldorado to refine uranium oxide, a waste product in the radium extraction process. The only operation of its kind in North America, it supplied uranium for the American nuclear research during the Second World War. In 1944 this important industry was made a crown corporation. Since 1965 it has concentrated on energy markets processing uranium to fuel reactors throughout the work in the production of electricity.
Background
At the time of the refinery's opening, radium was selling for $70,000 a gram. The refining of uranium was a minor sideline initially. These products were originally sold to ceramic companies to create long-lasting colours in their wares.
Uranium oxide produced at the refinery was used in the Manahttan Project in the United States. Its products were later used to facilitate development of the Canadian nuclear power industry at Chalk River, Ontario.