Rudolph John Agnew died in Australia on 1st July, 1960, at the age of 64.
In 1916, after a year’s study at the Royal School of Mines, Mr. Agnew joined H.M. Forces, serving with the 1st Artists Rifles in France and England. He was demobilized with the rank of lieutenant three years later.
From 1920 to 1923 he was employed as assistant surveyor at Ivanhoe gold mine, Kalgoorlie, at the same time attending the Kalgoorlie School of Mines where he obtained the Diploma in Mining. He joined Great Boulder Perseverance mine in 1923, working as surveyor for 18 months. He came to England in 1925 and worked in a similar capacity at Mill Close Mine, Ltd., Derbyshire, until 1928. Mr. Agnew then took up the appointment of assistant manager with Central European Mines, Ltd., in Mežica, Yugoslavia, and in 1931 moved to Italy in the position of superintendent of the zinc mine of Societa Anonima Miniera, Cave del Predil.
In December, 1932, Mr. Agnew returned to Australia on his appointment as general manager of Gold Fields Australian Development Co., Ltd., Western Australia. He remained in this position until 1943, when he joined the board of directors and later that year became chairman of the company, holding this position until 1950 and remaining a director until his death.
From 1946 Mr. Agnew had also been a director of Lake View and Star, Ltd., and general manager from 1950 until his death.
Mr. Agnew was elected to Associate Membership of the Institution in 1926, and transferred to full Membership ten years later. He was a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and held the office of President in 1955.
Vol. 71, Trans IMM 1961-2, p.42
