Pierre Lassonde
Pierre Lassonde is the Founder of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah. Lassonde is one of Canada's foremost experts in mining and precious metals. After leading the Newmont Mining Corporation, he revived Franco-Nevada, which grew rapidly into one of the most successful companies in the gold sector. He is also the author of The Gold Book, which has become a bible in the mining industry for precious metals investing. Lassonde is a noted philanthropist and active supporter of the arts and education in both Canada and the United States. He has made generous donations to many educational institutions, including York University and the University of Utah.
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
Lassonde co-founded Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation, a gold-focused royalty company, where he led a group of investors in bringing the company back to the public market.
In 2002, at the bottom of the gold cycle, Franco spearheaded a three-way merger between Normandy Mining of Australia, Newmont Mining of Denver and itself to create the world’s largest gold mining company at the time.
Lassonde, along with David Harquail and the Franco team who had followed him at Newmont, acquired Newmont’s royalty portfolio and revived Franco-Nevada as the largest gold royalty company on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
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
PHILANTHROPY
Lassonde has made transformative donations to educational institutions in both Canada and the United States.
He has made significant contributions to York University, Ryerson University, Western University, École Polytechnique de Montréal and the University of Utah.
He has also been a leading supporter of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
Later donations supported renovations to the historic beaux-arts-style Lassonde Mining Building, the home of the Lassonde Institute of Mining.