Gilbert Rigg died at Melbourne, Australia, on September 2nd, 1944, at the age of 71.
From 1902 to 1906 he was employed as chief chemist and processman to Messrs. John Riley & Sons, chemical manufacturers of Hapton, Lancashire, and then followed ten years in the service of the New Jersey Zinc Co., U.S.A., where he established and directed a research department. In 1916 he became chief metallurgical engineer and part-time acting general manager to Broken Hill Associated Smelters Proprietary, Ltd., and at the same time consulting metallurgical engineer to the Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Proprietary, Ltd., and technical adviser to the Zinc Producers Association.
He came to England to assist in the development of zinc metallurgy at the National Smelting Company’s works at Avonmouth and Swansea, returning to Australia in 1926. He retired in that year, but retained his position as a consultant to the Australian companies and devoted much time to private researches and travelling.
Mr. Rigg was elected a Member of the Institution in 1920, and in 1923 he was awarded, conjointly with Mr. (later Sir) Herbert W. Gepp, the Gold Medal of the Institution in recognition of their joint and individual services in the advancement of metallurgical science and practice, with special reference to their achievements in the treatment of complex sulphide ores, and in the development of the electrolytic process for the production of zinc in the Commonwealth of Australia.
His writings include two papers published in the Transactions of the Institution, ‘Roasting and lead-smelting practice at the Port Pirie (S.A.) plant of the Broken Hill Associated Smelters Proprietary, Ltd.’ (Vol. 29), and ‘Possible improvements in metallurgical practice relating particularly to the zinc industry ’ (Vol. 35). Mr. Rigg was also a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and of various American metallurgical and chemical societies.
Vol. 54, Trans I.M.M., 1944-45, pp.274-5
