Adelard "Gilbert" LaBine was born on a farm at Westmeath Township, Renfrew County, Ontario, on 10 February 1890.
[3]: 23 LaBine stockpiled uranium ore at Great Bear Lake from the time of early production after the staking of the company's first two claims in May 1930.
"[attribution needed][4]: 20 By 1944 Canadian Munitions and Supply Minister C. D. Howe had purchased a controlling interest in and expropriated Eldorado Mining Company.
Howe considered LaBine to be both a personal friend and a good manager, assuring the British government that he "could be left in control of the company".
[5]: 164 The government had the mine immediately "drained and cemented ... and employed prospectors to search for additional uranium deposits".
Given this notion it seems secrecy was conducted the same way uranium contracts had been allocated; efficiency and development of an atomic weapon took precedence over political concerns like communist attitude amongst the workforce or homage to Britain.