Thomas Rickard died at Wimbledon, Surrey, on November 2nd, 1916, at the age of 85.
He was born at Porth Towan, near Redruth, Cornwall. He left school early, and when 16 years old had commenced to practise as a mine surveyor. Soon afterwards he went to the Pontgibaud Mines, where his father, James Rickard, was superintendent. From Pontgibaud he went to Italy where he was superintendent of the lead smelter at Pertusola. Later he took charge of mines at Andeer, in Switzerland, and in 1870 he went to Russia, where for ten years he was manager for the Russia Copper Company at Voskresensky, in the Ural mountains.
Returning to England in 1881 he joined his brother Richard in a partnership under the name of Rickard Brothers. This partnership subsequently included another brother, Reuben. The office of the firm was in London, first at 58, Lombard Street, and then at 35, Queen Victoria Street, but agencies were maintained at Denver and San Francisco. His consulting practice entailed travel to many parts of the world. An eager student, he made the most of his opportunities. For many years he and his brothers took a notable part in mining business in London.
In 1884 he visited the Transvaal and wrote a favourable report on the prospects of the Rand. Subsequently he was consulting engineer to the Lisbon Berlyn, the Otto’s Koppe, and several other ventures in, the Transvaal.
During the closing period of his life he was a regular attendant at the meetings of the Institution, and the volumes of the Transactions show that until he was 80 years old he took part frequently in the discussions.
He was the eldest and last survivor of five brothers – Thomas, William Henry, Richard, Reuben and Alfred — all of whom were actively associated with mining in France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Norway, South Africa, Australia and America.
Mr. Rickard was elected a Member of the Institution in 1893.
Vol. 26, Trans I.M.M., 1916-17, pp.276-7
