James Herbert Bennetts died in Cornwall on 22nd September, 1961, at the age of 79.
Born in Camborne, Cornwall, he received his technical training at Camborne School of Metalliferous Mining from 1902 to 1905, and obtained a first-class Diploma of the School. He had worked for three years previously in general mining at Carn Brea and Tincroft mines before attending Camborne, and on qualifying left England on his appointment as assistant in the sampling and surveying departments at Witwatersrand Gold Mining Co., Ltd., Transvaal.
He returned three years later and held the position of chief surveyor at Brendon Hill iron ore mines of Somerset Mineral Syndicate, Ltd., from 1908 to 1910.
Mr. Bennetts spent the following eight years as mines manager at Llanharry iron ore mines of Glamorgan Hematite Iron Ore Co., Ltd., Cardiff, and in September, 1919, was appointed general manager and director of Hendy Iron Ore Co., Ltd., Pontyclun, a position he held until 1927. From 1927 to 1931 he was mines manager, Polhigey Tin Mines, Ltd., for London Tin Corporation, Ltd., and during the slump period of 1931-34 was engaged on occasional reporting on iron ore deposits in Wales.
Mr. Bennetts remained in Cornwall from 1934. He was general manager of Wheal Reeth Tin Mines, Ltd., for over seven years, from 1934 to 1942, and then became general manager of Cligga tin and Wolfram mines, Perranporth. In March, 1944, he was appointed general manager, Geevor Tin Mines, Ltd., Pendeen, and in December, 1947, joined the board of directors. He retired in July, 1960.
Mr. Bennetts was elected to Associate Membership of the Institution in 1908 and to full Membership in 1949. He was also an Honorary [associate of the Camborne School of Metalliferous Mining and a member of council of the Cornish Chamber of Mines.
[Brenden Hill Connection. See also W.T. Smith]
Vol. 72, Trans I.M.M. 1962-63, pp. 528-29
