Albert Augustine Adams died in New Zealand on 27th September, 1954, at the age of 77.
From 1895 to 1896 he attended the Thames School of Mines, New Zealand, gaining certificates in mining and metallurgy. He then joined Tararu Creek Gold Mining Co., Ltd., as assayer and cyanide superintendent, and in 1897 became assayer and surveyor to New Alburnia Gold Mining Co., Ltd. A year later he was appointed metallurgist to Great Mercury Gold Mining Co., Ltd., and from 1902 to 1904 worked as metallurgist and assistant superintendent to Tairua Broken Hills Gold Mining Co., Ltd. He left to open up the Golden Belt gold mine and superintended the erection and working of a stamp mill and cyanide plant.
Mr. Adams set up in private practice as consulting mining and metallurgical engineer in August, 1907, with offices at Auckland, and while carrying on his practice held the position of manager of Golden Belt from 1909 to 1918. In the following year he organized Hangatiki Lime, Ltd., for which he erected a plant for the production of agricultural lime, and continued his connection with the company until 1951.
Apart from his practical mining work, Mr. Adams was also a mineralogist and petrologist of repute, and was for over 40 years assayer to H.M. Customs.
He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1908.
Vol. 64, Trans IMM 1954-55, p.193
