They found silver-bearing float at the south end of Cobalt Lake. The first assay results showed bismuth but no silver. McKinley subsequently sent the ore for assay to McGill University and was informed by Dr. Milton Hersey of Montreal that the ore contained 4,000 ounces of silver per ton. Dr. Willet G. Miller, Ontario’s first provincial geologist, visited the area in November 1903 and found that four veins had been located, three very rich in silver. In addition, Tom Hebert had staked the property that later became the Nipissing Mine. Dr. Miller reported the news through an article in the Mining Journal of New York and through an Ontario Bureau of Mines publication. The final discovery in 1903 was made by Neil King who staked the property on which the O’Brien mine was to rise in 1906 and to continue production without a break until 1966 (Zoldy 2006).