Peter Munk, 92, Dies; Built World’s Biggest Gold Mining Company
Supported by Obituaries Peter Munk, 92, Dies; Built World’s Biggest Gold Mining Company Photo Peter Munk prepared to speak at the Barrick gold mining company's annual shareholders meeting in 2014 in Toronto. Credit Mark Blinch/Reuters Peter Munk, the Canadian who built the world’s largest gold-mining company, years after suffering one of his country’s most notable business failures, died on Wednesday in Toronto. He was 90.
Barrick Gold, the company he founded, announced the death but did not give a cause. Mr. Munk wore a pacemaker and had dealt with heart problems for several years.
An outsider in Canada — his preference for fedoras alone set him apart — and a former escapee from Nazi-occupied Hungary, Mr. Munk initially tried out several different lines of business, including stereo equipment and resorts in Fuji. Not all were successful, but he never appeared deterred by his failures.
Barrick itself started out as an oil company that endured three years of losses. Then Mr. M..