James (Jim) O'Rourke

About James (Jim) O'Rourke

Born and raised in Northern BC, Jim graduated with a degree in Engineering from UBC in 1964. He had over 50 years of extensive hands-on experience in the evaluation and development, financing, and marketing of mining operations in Canada, the United States, South America, and the Philippines.

Jim’s contribution to mining, during his 50-plus year career has been integral to the success of the industry in BC, and in turn has contributed substantially to BC’s economy and through the years the wellbeing of many employees, family members and communities across the province.

Jim was a legend in the mining business. He was the recipient of many awards over his career, but he was especially proud of the 2005 EA Schultz Award for excellence in mine development in British Columbia and the 2011 recipient of the Order of British Columbia. Jim was also inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2013.

The impact of your support

Jim was a founder of the “Mining for Miracles” campaign, which has raised more than $35 million for the BC Children’s Hospital since 1988. Jim understood the need for BC’s Mining Industry to support the health & welfare of children, families and communities across BC. Jim also understood the need to support students and was always eager when provided the opportunity to network with students, and especially UBC engineering students. This is why his friends and family have established the James (Jim) O’Rourke Scholarship in Mining Engineering, so his legacy will continue to benefit students at UBC.

More than his mining legacy, Jim was one of the nicest people you could meet, and he certainly embraced the fun side of life. Jim enjoyed spending time at Whistler with his family and good friends, golfing, fishing and hunting. Jim’s zest for life was contagious.

We will all miss him.

Please click here to read about the first recipients of the James (Jim) O’Rourke Scholarship in Mining Engineering.

Messages of Remembrance

All Messages

O’Rourke Family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Jim was an incredible individual. A true visionary, always solutions driven and a man committed to making a positive difference each and every day. He always had time for us and was always willing to share his thoughts as well as provide guidance and support. We had the great fortune of spending several days with Jim at the Duncanby Lodge in Rivers Inlet during late July of this year. We will carry those memories with us forever. So may many memories of incredible times together help ease the pain and bring you comfort during this very difficult time. What we do in life echoes in eternity. So rest in peace Jim, your legacy will live on forever. PetroValue (Peter Coleman & Jeremy Nichols)

Peter Coleman and Jeremy Nichols, Friends
Jim was an integral part of my career. I worked for a few of his companies and mines including Cassiar, Princeton, Huckleberry, Similco and Copper Mountain. The biggest contribution Jim made to my career was laying me off! That inspired me to found a consulting company which grew to help raise and support my family and allow me to spend years sailing to exotic locations near and far. During much of the last couple of decades Jim's and his companies have been excellent clients. I have a huge amount of respect Jim and what he accomplished. I am grateful and proud to have been a small part of that. Thank you Jim and rest in peace.

Rae Simpson, Consultant and employee
I first met Jim in Prince George where he was managing the construction of the Gibraltar mine for Placer Development. I was there as a security analyst. The next thing I new I was invited to meet Liz and enjoy a dinner at their home. We were good friends ever since and I enjoyed being a director on Copper Mountain Mining Corp from its founding.

Carl Renzoni, Friend

Photos of Remembrance

Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
Copper Mountain Mine (BC) Ltd.
Copper Mountain Mining Corporation
Pembina - Vancouver Wharves
Jeremy Nichols
Peter Coleman
ABB Inc.
Anonymous Donation
Dana and Jamieson Merritt
SMS Equipment Inc.
Simpson Spence Young
Orica Canada