Louis Raymond Oral History Interview (2 of 2)

The second interview with Raymond initially begins with his time in the mines of Bolivia, during which he talks about recommendations to increase production in the mines. While his career mostly took him to North American mines, Raymond occasionally traveled internationally to conduct his work. For example he traveled to European mining camps and came into contact with refugees fleeing from Hitler’s influence prior to World War II. He notes that, while many were disgusted by what was happening in their home country, they remained loyal to their sense of nationality.

Raymond also spent time in Canada looking for mining opportunities for Mond, a company that he worked for in the States that was based in England. Unfortunately, nothing came of his prospects because the British government would not allow for capital exports out of the country. Outside of financial concerns, other dangers lurked in the world of mining. Something that Raymond was particularly conscious of was the safety of the crews he would work with. Concerns such as methane gas accumulation spurred his emphasis on well-ventilated mines and enforcement of sound safety practices. Outside of his work, Raymond notes that he was an avid collector of various artifacts, including beaded work, textiles, and copper vessels.