Hoffman, Arnold

Arnold Hoffman (1903-1962) was a geologist, prospector, author, and New York executive. He was born in East Boston, Massachusetts, one of four sons of a Russian immigrant tailor. He was educated at Roxbury Latin School and graduated from Harvard University with a degree in geology in 1925.

Arnold first visited Canada in June 1922, accompanying his brother Robert, to prospect for gold near Larder Lake in northeastern Ontario. Arnold and Robert prospected together for several years and staked many claims across Canada. They became involved in early gold mining efforts in Eastern Quebec. In 1923, they staked several acres in Joannes Township, near Bousquet, Quebec. Hoffman discovered gold there in 1924 but was initially hindered by a lack of resources. This strike eventually became the property of Arrowhead Gold Mines Limited and was one of Hoffman's most profitable ventures. The brothers became associated with the gold mining industry in Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, especially the Thompson-Lundmark Gold Mines, near Yellowknife.

In 1947, Hoffman published a book, Free Gold: The Story of Canadian Mining (New York: Rinehart & Company, 1947, 420 p.; reissued by McGraw-Hill, in 1982). Free Gold describes Hoffman’s early experiences as a prospector and details the history of the Canadian gold mining industry.

Hoffman was primarily involved in the financial side of gold mining as a stockholder in New York. In 1936, he and his brother, Robert, were elected as Secretary-Treasurer and President of Gold Operators (Canada) Limited, and in 1948, Arnold was made a director of the company. Arnold Hoffman was a major shareholder of the Thompson Prospecting Syndicate and became president of Arrowhead Gold Mines Limited in 1936. Gold Operators Inc. and Arrowhead Gold Mines entered an agreement in 1936 to create Syndicate Options Limited, with Arnold Hoffman as Secretary-Treasurer. As secretary of Gold Operators (Canada) Inc. and shareholder of the Thompson Prospecting Syndicate, Hoffman managed investments in many mines which included: Stadacona Rouyn, Sunset Yellowknife, Junior Frood, Coniaurum, Algood, Pershon, Resenor, Michipicoten, and Croydon Rouyn. In 1939, Hoffman attempted to create the Hoffman-Russell Molybdenum Syndicate to explore molybdenum deposits in Ontario, but the syndicate dissolved in 1941 due to economic issues related to the Second World War. In 1958, Hoffman was elected president of Mesabi Iron Company. By 1962, he was also president of Quebec Cobalt and Exploration, Ltd., and the Towne Mines Corporation.

The Hoffman Laboratory of Experimental Geology at Harvard University is named after Hoffman and his eldest brother, David. The building opened in 1963 following donations made by Hoffman and his brother Robert.

Hoffman, Arnold. Free Gold: The Story of Canadian Mining. New York: Rinehart & Company, 1947.
"Arnold Hoffman, Engineer, 59, dies: Prospector Rose to Head of 3 Mining Companies." New York Times, August 26, 1962.