Edward Gauvain Sandon died in Surbiton, Surrey, on 17th December, 1961, at the age of 74.
He was born in England and educated at Mill Hill School. He undertook practical training as surveyor and draughtsman in northern Spain from 1904 to 1905 gaining general mining experience, and then spent a year in Zurich. He studied for over four years at the School of Mines in Freiberg, Saxony, from May, 1906, and graduated Dipl. Ing. in December, 1910.
In March, 1911, Mr. Sandon was appointed surveyor and assayer at the Huelva mines of Rio Tinto Co., and spent some time at the sulphuric acid plant and copper smelters. He left in June, 1912, to join Orconera Iron Ore Co., Ltd., as assistant mining engineer at their Bilbao mines, and three years later became chief mining engineer in full charge of mining operations. He held this position until his appointment as resident general manager of the company in August, 1947. Two years later he negotiated the sale of the mining company to the largest iron and steel works in Spain, Altos Hornos dc Vizcaya, who then made him general manager and director, a position he retained until his death six months short of his fiftieth year with the Orconera Iron Ore Co., Ltd. In 1952-53 Mr. Sandon also negotiated the sale to Altos Hornos de Vizcaya of the Alquife Mines and Railway Co., Ltd., in the province of Granada, and was subsequently made co-managing director of the company, holding this position also until his death.
Mr. Sandon returned to England in October, 1961, for medical treatment, and died shortly after an operation.
He was elected to Membership of the Institution in 1922.
Vol. 72, Trans I.M.M., 1962-63, p.531
