George Chalmers died in London, on February 4th, 1928, at the age of 71.
His technical training began in 1875, when he entered on it three years’ course of engineering at King’s College, London, after completing which he was for a similar period engaged in acquiring practical experience at the Hayle Foundry, Cornwall, which was concerned with providing pumping machinery for Cornish mines and for the draining of the Severn Tunnel, then in course of construction.
A brief term spent in the chief engineer’s office of the Brentford Gas Company terminated in 1884, when Mr. Chalmers was appointed superintending engineer and representative in Brazil of the St. John del Rey Mining Co., Ltd. His association with this company continued for upwards of 40 years, and on his retirement, about four years ago, he was succeeded by his son, Mr. A.G.N. Chalmers.
The life story of George Chalmers is practically the story of the Morro Velho mine. In 1886 he took a most active part in the restoration of the mine, which had collapsed, and produced at scheme for re-opening it and working the lode at a depth of 900 ft. When he retired, the mine was the deepest gold mine in the world, with a depth of 5858 ft. As the mine developed he was faced with many problems due in great part to the unprecedented depth reached, as for instance the supply, under pressure, of water to operate the hydraulic underground equipment. The installation of hydro-electric power stations, the construction of a train road connecting the mine with the Central Railway of Brazil, and later many investigations with the problem of cooling and drying the atmosphere of the mine, were among the more important tasks he undertook and carried out with conspicuous success.
On his retirement Mr. Chalmers continued to live in Brazil, acting still as consultant to the St. John del Rey Co., with occasional visits to England. Latterly he has suffered from heart trouble, and on his last voyage home had an attack which necessitated his being transferred direct from the steamer to a nursing home, where he died within a few days.
Mr. Chalmers was elected a Member of the Institution in 1899.
Vol. 38, Trans I.M.M. 1928-9, pp. 484-5
