Philip Charles Collins died on 30th May, 1954, at Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, after a short illness. He was 64 years of age.
He was trained at Redruth School of Mines from 1908 to 1911, gaining a first class Certificate in mining, and from June, 1911, to May, 1912, he was assistant surveyor and assayer to St. Ives Consolidated Mines, Cornwall. Mr. Collins then left England to take up the post of assistant surveyor and assayer, and later assistant reduction Officer, at Ouro Preto Gold Mines of Brazil, Ltd., Minas Geraes.
He returned to England in November, 1915, to join the Field Survey Corps, and was on active service in France until demobilization in February, 1919.
He returned to Ouro Preto and in 1920 was made chief surveyor and assayer, a post that he held for seven years. In 1927 he was appointed assayer and metallurgist to Abbontiakoon Mines, Ltd., and in the following year he managed Paiva Tin Development Syndicate, Ltd., in Portugal. After a further short visit to Brazil he returned in 1930 to the Gold Coast. During 1930-31 he was prospecting for West African Diamond Syndicate, Ltd., and from 1932 to 1934 was surveyor and assistant manager to Tarkwa Banket West, Ltd., and Obuom Gold Mines, Ltd., transferring in 1934 to Winnebah Tinfields, Ltd., as superintendent and manager. From 1936 to 1939 he was manager of Morkwa, Ltd., and Kwahu Mining Co. (1925), Ltd., and in March, 1940, took an appointment with Gold Coast Main Reef, Ltd.
Three years later, in 1943, Mr. Collins returned to England and joined the Directorate of Opencast Coal Production, Ministry of Fuel and Power, as area prospecting officer, North Wales, retaining that position when the work of the Directorate was transferred to the National Coal Board.
Mr. Collins was elected a Student of the Institution in 1916 and transferred to Associate Membership in 1924.
Vol. 64, Trans I.M.M. 1954-55, p. 194
