Pierre Lassonde
Pierre Lassonde is a legendary figure in the global mining and precious metals industry, widely celebrated for pioneering the gold royalty business model. In 1982, alongside partner Seymour Schulich, he co-founded Franco-Nevada, successfully adapting a financing structure common in the oil and gas sector to the mining industry. This revolutionary approach allowed investors to gain exposure to gold price appreciation and new discoveries while avoiding the direct operational risks associated with mine management. Beyond his financial innovations, Lassonde has fundamentally reshaped the academic and entrepreneurial landscapes through significant philanthropic contributions. His legacy is cemented by the founding of the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University and the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah, both of which serve as premier hubs for innovation and technical education. As of 2026, his strategic frameworks and institutional support continue to drive growth and excellence across the global natural resource and engineering sectors.
Pierre Lassonde Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder
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Chairman
Academic History
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Master of Business Administration
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B.S., Electrical Engineering
FRANCO NEVADA
Pierre Lassonde co-founded Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation, a gold-focused royalty company that revolutionized mining finance.
In 2002, during the bottom of the gold cycle, he spearheaded a historic three-way merger between Franco-Nevada, Normandy Mining of Australia, and Newmont Mining to create the world’s largest gold mining company at the time.
Following this period, Lassonde and a dedicated team acquired Newmont’s royalty portfolio and revived Franco-Nevada as an independent entity, establishing it as the largest gold royalty company on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Beyond his corporate leadership, he is the creator of the Lassonde Curve, a definitive graphical tool used by investors worldwide to navigate the high-risk lifecycle of mining stocks from exploration to production.
PHILANTHROPY & INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT
Lassonde is a distinguished philanthropist and active supporter of the arts and education across Canada and the United States.
His transformative donations have fundamentally reshaped institutions including York University, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Western University, Polytechnique Montréal, and the University of Utah.
These initiatives include the renovation of the historic beaux-arts-style Lassonde Mining Building, which serves as the home for the Lassonde Institute of Mining.
His commitment to the arts is equally significant, highlighted by his long-standing support of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
In addition to his financial contributions, Lassonde remains an intellectual pillar of the resource sector as the author of The Gold Book, which is widely considered the definitive guide for precious metals investing.
RECOGNITIONS
2013 Canadian Mining Hall of Fame
2008 Officer of the Order of Quebec
2002 Order of Canada
2001 Inco Medal
2006 Honorary Doctor Degree, the University of Utah
2006 Honorary Doctor Degree, the Ryerson University
2002 Honorary Doctor Degree, the University of Montreal
2001 Honorary Doctor Degree, the University of Toronto