VANCOUVER - British Columbia mining and exploration iconLouis Wolfin, who founded Avino Silver & Gold Mines in 1968 and ran thecompany for over 30 years, died peacefully at his home on Friday, March 3. Hewas 85 years old.

Mr. Wolfin enjoyed an active, successful career in finance, exploration andmining and was highly respected in the industry. He began his career in Torontoin the early 1950s, working in the brokerage industry and learning from theground up. He later moved to Vancouver to become an arbitrage trader and then abroker. In 1960 he purchased a seat on the Vancouver Stock Exchange and openedhis own brokerage house. In the mid-1960s he helped fund a number ofexploration companies and eventually opened Avino Silver in 1968, putting theAvino Silver Mine into production in 1974. The mine operated continuously for27 years. He retired from the Company in 2003.

“Lou was a pioneer and a driving force in the Vancouver mining scene throughthe Sixties, Seventies and Eighties,” said Wolfin’s son David Wolfin who nowserves as Avino’s President and CEO. “He built his business on closerelationships, bringing together a rich network of friends and associates inMexico, Canada and the United States. He will be missed by many, many people.”

In addition to Avino, Lou Wolfin also established Berkley Resources Ltd (nowBerkley Renewables), Coral Gold Resources Ltd, Levon Resources Ltd, CresvalCapital Corp and Bralorne Gold Mines Ltd. Over the past 30 years, thesecompanies have been responsible for a number of significant mineral discoveriesin North America.

A memorial service for Mr. Wolfin will be held Tuesday, March 7 at the Har ElSynagogue in West Vancouver beginning at 12:30 P.M.

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