Hunting for Purple Gold in Northern Ontario episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 17, 2025 · 36 MIN

Hunting for Purple Gold in Northern Ontario

from The Backroads Bill Podcast · host North Bay Echo

People come to Thunder Bay for the views, but many leave with pockets full of purple.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we head into the hills above Lake Superior to visit Amethyst Mine Panorama. Owner Tim Lukinuk shares how his family turned a glint of purple in the dirt into a destination that draws visitors from around the world. We talk about the history of the mine, what makes Thunder Bay amethyst so unique, and why people are still showing up with buckets and rock hammers after all these years.4:30 – How the mine was first discovered  9:45 – Building a family business around rocks  15:20 – Why people keep coming back to dig  21:10 – What makes this amethyst different  27:00 – The future of the mine and what’s next

People come to Thunder Bay for the views, but many leave with pockets full of purple.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we head into the hills above Lake Superior to visit Amethyst Mine Panorama. Owner Tim Lukinuk shares how his family turned a glint of purple in the dirt into a destination that draws visitors from around the world. We talk about the history of the mine, what makes Thunder Bay amethyst so unique, and why people are still showing up with buckets and rock hammers after all these years.4:30 – How the mine was first discovered  9:45 – Building a family business around rocks  15:20 – Why people keep coming back to dig  21:10 – What makes this amethyst different  27:00 – The future of the mine and what’s next

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Hunting for Purple Gold in Northern Ontario

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This episode was published on September 17, 2025.

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People come to Thunder Bay for the views, but many leave with pockets full of purple.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we head into the hills above Lake Superior to visit Amethyst Mine Panorama. Owner Tim Lukinuk shares how his family...

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