Richard Quance died in hospital at Tamele, West Africa, on November 20th, 1084, at the age of 60, as the result of serious injuries caused by a fall of timber whilst engaged in shaft-sinking.
After a brief experience at the Levant mine, Cornwall, in 1896, he went to South Africa as a learner in surface and underground work at the Village Main Reef mine, and shortly became general assistant to Mr. W.P. Harrison, consulting engineer, in prospecting work in the Transvaal and Rhodesia.
From 1900 to 1902 he served with H.M. Forces in the South African War, and during the next five years was engaged in mining and prospecting in the Transvaal, Rhodesia, East Africa, and Angola. In 1907, he went to West Africa, and was engaged in development and contracting work on the Prestea and Abbontiakoon mines for nearly three years. From 1910 to 1915, he was in Nigeria, first with the Nigeria Gel Tin Lode & Alluvial Company, and afterwards as manager of the Lafon and New Lafon Tinfields.
From 1915 to1918 he was on active Service in H.M. Forces (Royal Engineers), having in the latter year to resign his commission owing to ill-health. On recovery, he returned for about two years to West Africa, when he was manager of the Nigeria Proprietary Company.
In 1920 he returned to England and for some time conducted a small private training college for instruction in prospecting and the recognition of minerals, which failed through lack of support. He returned to West Africa in 1921, and for some years was engaged in prospecting and reporting for the Offin River Gold Estates, the West African Diamond Syndicate, Ropp Tin, Ltd., and on his own account. His latest appointment was on the Nangodi mine, Navrongo, Gold Coast.
Mr. Quance was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1920.
Vol. 45, Trans I.M.M., 1935-6, pp.519-20
