Rob is Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Inc. The company has three producing gold and silver mines throughout the Americas—in the state of Nevada (USA), the province of Ontario (Canada), and the province of Santa Cruz (Argentina) —and holds a 46% interest in Los Azules, one of the world’s ten largest undeveloped copper deposits, located in the province of San Juan, Argentina.
Rob has been associated with the gold industry all his career, his first 18 years in the investment field as a broker and portfolio manager of mutual and closed-end funds, and as a principal of a Toronto Stock Exchange member firm.
In 1990, Rob jumped from investment into the mining industry. By 1993, he initiated a consolidation of five companies, a process that took eight years to complete and culminated in the creation of Goldcorp Inc., which became a powerhouse of gold mining. During the last thirteen years of Rob’s tenure as CEO, Goldcorp’s market capitalization grew from $50 million to over $8 billion, with its share price increasing at a compound annual rate of 31%.
In 2005, Rob decided to pursue the challenge of building another Goldcorp. It was an opportune time to depart, as Goldcorp was in excellent condition, with $200 million held in cash and gold bullion, no debt, and positioned among the world’s lowest cost-per-ounce gold producers.
After Goldcorp, Rob invested primarily in junior exploration and mine development companies, buying 10-30% interests. In January 2012, he merged two of these companies to form McEwen Inc. (formerly McEwen Mining Inc.). He owns 15% of McEwen (NYSE, TSX: MUX), 13% of McEwen Copper and takes a salary of $1/ year. The cost of his investment in MUX and McEwen Copper is US$205 million.
Rob and his wife, Cheryl, have donated over $60 million to promote excellence and innovation in healthcare and education. Their philanthropy led to the establishment of the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at Toronto General Hospital, ranked the world’s third best public hospital by Newsweek Magazine in 2024, the McEwen School of Architecture at Laurentian University, and the McEwen Leadership Programs at St. Andrew’s College and at St. Anne’s College (private boys’ and girls’ schools). Additional contributions include significant donations to the Schulich School of Business, the Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital, Lakefield College, Red Lake Heritage Centre, Canadian Canoe Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Rob is a passionate innovator, marketer, and avid recreational competitor. His two favorite sports are snow and water skiing.
Rob has numerous awards over the course of his career:
in 2000, Business week magazine named Goldcorp Inc one of the 50 most innovative companies on the worldwide web;
in 2001, PDAC (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) Developer of the Year;
in 2002, Ernest & Young Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year – Energy;
in 2003, Northern Miner’s Mining Man of the Year;
in 2004, Outstanding Achievement Award for Philanthropy by the Canadian Museum Association;
in 2005, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from York University;
in 2007, The Order of Canada;
in 2013, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award;
in 2014, Weizmann Canada’s Leading Man Award;
in 2017, Inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame;
in 2018, Bryden Alumni Award, York University;
in 2019, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degrees from York University and Western University;
in 2019, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ Words and Deeds Award.
Rob is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Schulich School of Business; member of XPRIZE Foundation’s: Vision Circle; member of CEO (Chief Executive Organization) and of WPO (World Presidents’ Organization) and member of the Advisory Board of the McEwen School of Architecture.