Description

Miner-to-Miner: Mark Twain

From 1859 to 1864, Samuel Clemens went west to seek his fortune. He worked as a miner in three mining districts: Unionville NV , Esmeralda NV, and Angels’ Camp CA. Between his work as a miner in Esmeralda (Aurora) and Angel’s Camp, he worked as a reporter in the Comstock Mining District NV and in San Francisco CA; on the Comstock, he became Mark Twain. Twain’s mining adventures were chronicled in his book Roughing It; Twain wrote Roughing It to be entertaining, not autobiographical. During his time in mining, Twain wrote many letters. From these letters and various collections, the true story of Twain as a miner is every bit as entertaining as Roughing It. This presentation will summarize the story of Mark Twain as a miner. miner-to-miner: Mark TwainFrom 1859 to 1864, Samuel Clemens went west to seek his fortune. He worked as a miner in three mining districts: Unionville NV , Esmeralda NV, and Angel's Camp CA. Between his work as a miner in Esmeralda (Aurora) and Angel's Camp, he worked as a reporter in the Comstock Mining District NV and in San Francisco CA; on the Comstock, he became Mark Twain. Twain's mining adventures were chronicled in his book Roughing It; Twain wrote Roughing It to be entertaining, not autobiographical. During his time in mining, Twain wrote many letters. From these letters and various collections, the true story of Twain as a miner is every bit as entertaining as Roughing It. This presentation will summarize the story of Mark Twain as a miner.

Larry Radford

Mr. Radford brings over 40 years of leadership and operational experience in the mining industry. Most recently, Mr. Radford served as President & CEO, and Director of Argonaut Gold Inc., where he led the 200,000 ounce per year gold producer and oversaw a turnaround of the Magino Project in Ontario, Canada. Previously, Mr. Radford served as COO of Gold Standard Ventures Corp., where he led development of the South Railroad Project in Nevada, USA. Before Gold Standard Ventures, Larry held the role of Sr. VP & COO of Hecla Mining Company (“Hecla”) where he managed the operating portfolio of underground mines, including the Lucky Friday mine in Idaho, USA, the Greens Creek mine in Alaska, USA, the Casa Berardi mine, in Quebec, Canada and the San Sebastian mine in Durango, Mexico. Prior to his role at Hecla, Mr. Radford held roles of increasing responsibility with Kinross Gold Corporation from 2007 through 2011, including Vice President & General Manager of the Fort Knox mine in Alaska, USA, Vice President of Strategic Mine Planning and Vice President of South American Operations. Mr. Radford worked with Barrick Gold Corporation from 1989 to 2007, including 14 years at the Goldstrike mine in Nevada, USA, two years at the Tambo mine in Chile and two years as General Manager of the Cowal mine in New South Wales, Australia. Mr. Radford is a second-generation miner who began his mining career in 1984 with Coeur D'Alene Mines Corporation. He has received a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Idaho and an MBA from the University of Alaska. He is a member of AIME and a registered Professional Engineer in Idaho

Mr. Radford brings over 40 years of leadership and operational experience in the mining industry. Most recently, Mr. Radford served as President & CEO, and Director of Argonaut Gold Inc., where he led the 200,000 ounce per year gold producer and oversaw a turnaround of the Magino Project in Ontario, Canada. Previously, Mr. Radford served as COO of Gold Standard Ventures Corp., where he led development of the South Railroad Project in Nevada, USA. Before Gold Standard Ventures, Larry held the role of Sr. VP & COO of Hecla Mining Company (“Hecla”) where he managed the operating portfolio of underground mines, including the Lucky Friday mine in Idaho, USA, the Greens Creek mine in Alaska, USA, the Casa Berardi mine, in Quebec, Canada and the San Sebastian mine in Durango, Mexico. Prior to his role at Hecla, Mr. Radford held roles of increasing responsibility with Kinross Gold Corporation from 2007 through 2011, including Vice President & General Manager of the Fort Knox mine in Alaska, USA, Vice President of Strategic Mine Planning and Vice President of South American Operations. Mr. Radford worked with Barrick Gold Corporation from 1989 to 2007, including 14 years at the Goldstrike mine in Nevada, USA, two years at the Tambo mine in Chile and two years as General Manager of the Cowal mine in New South Wales, Australia. Mr. Radford is a second-generation miner who began his mining career in 1984 with Coeur D'Alene Mines Corporation. He has received a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Idaho and an MBA from the University of Alaska. He is a member of AIME and a registered Professional Engineer in Idaho



Comstock Foundation for History and Culture

900 Main Street, Silver City, NV 89428
Sep 30, 2025
6:00 PM PDT
RSVP Required