Michael (Mike) Cathro built a life around geology, exploration and the landscapes of BC and western Canada. 

Growing up in a mining family, Mike followed his father, pioneering western Canadian mineral exploration geologist Robert Cathro, into the field. He studied at Queen’s University and the Colorado School of Mines before spending most of his career in BC. 

Beginning in 1990, Mike spent 17 years with the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines in management and technical roles. As Regional Director in Kamloops, he led the team that completed the Indigenous consultation and environmental review of the New Afton underground mine. 

Mike also loved being out “in the bush.” With an adventurous spirit, he returned to fieldwork in 2008 and spent the final 15 years of his career in exploration geology across western Canada. He worked on gold, copper, tungsten and uranium projects with junior exploration companies including Happy Creek Minerals Ltd., Skeena Resources Ltd., Colorado Resources Ltd. and Virginia Energy Resources Inc. 

Throughout his career, Mike also gave back to the industry through a number of leadership and volunteer roles. He served as Chair of the Board for Geoscience BC, Director of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC, Director and Past-President of the Kamloops Exploration Group and a member of the BC Geological Survey Technical Liaison Committee. 

Mike died in Kamloops in April 2026 after living with cancer. He will be remembered for his adventurous nature, his love of geology and the many ways he contributed to the mining and exploration community throughout his career. 

Like his father, Mike was a leader in mineral exploration and the mining industry in BC and was passionate about giving back to the profession. 

Your gift in memory of Mike will support the Robert Cathro Fund for Geology, established in honour of his father in 2014. Since then, the fund has supported new generations of geologists and explorers, with funds directed to students and areas of need in UBC’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. In recognition of both Mike and Robert’s lives, the student award is in the process of being re-named as the Robert and Michael Cathro Memorial Bursary in Geological Sciences.

Your donation will honour Mike’s contributions to the field while helping the Robert Cathro Fund for Geology continue supporting students and the department for years to come.