Equipment manufacturer was considered pioneer in mining technology

Don MacLean, a mining innovator who founded the global equipment manufacturing company MacLean Engineering, has died.

The company announced his death in a social media post on Jan. 12.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our esteemed founder and chairman, Donald MacLean,” the company wrote in the post.

“A visionary leader and inspiration to us all, Don left an indelible mark not only on our company but also on the global mining fraternity.”

MacLean's six decades in the mining industry began in 1959 as an employee of INCO in Sudbury. Trained as a mining engineer, MacLean later went on to found MacLean Engineering, in 1973 in Collingwood.

MacLean is considered a pioneer in the mining industry.

He developed drawpoint obstruction clearance machines for block caving rigs, including blockhole jumbos, in the late 1970s. It was a simple concept that revolutionized underground bulk mining.

He also spearheaded the invention of high-reach and medium-reach rigs in the 1990s, and the Ro-Bust. These rigs helped operators break drawpoint boulders below the brow by utilizing high-pressure water impulses.

This technique licensed a technology from South Africa munitions manufacturer Denel.

MacLean Engineering remains headquartered in Collingwood, but has additional locations in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and the U.S.

That includes a robust presence in Sudbury, where the company operates a sales and service location in the Walden Industrial Park, and a test mine used for testing and refining new products.

Over the years, MacLean has been recognized for his many contributions.

He was an inaugural honouree inducted into the International Mining Technology Hall of Fame in 2014, and was named to the MineConnect Hall of Fame (formerly Sudbury Area Mining Service and Supply Association, SAMSSA) in 2016.

In 2023, he was honoured with the Mining Safety Leadership Award by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the mining community.

“Don led with grace and wisdom, guiding us to new heights,” the company wrote in its announcement.

“For the past five decades, his vision for safety and innovation has served as the bedrock of our company, and it will undoubtedly continue to do so in the years to come.

“His legacy will forever resonate within our organization.”

A celebration of life will be held for MacLean at the Georgian Bay Hotel in Collingwood on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m.