John Francis Smith was accidentally killed in September, 1947, in the Ashanti mine at Obuasi, Gold Coast, at the age of 36.
He was born in Scotland and was a student at Glasgow University and the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, from 1929 to 1933, gaining the degree of B.Sc. in applied chemistry and the Diploma of the Royal Technical College. From 1934 to 1936 he was employed at the British Aluminium Co., Ltd., at Kinlochleven, Argyllshire, as metallurgical assistant to the chief chemist, and occasionally acted as technical works assistant.
In June, 1936, he entered the employment of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, Ltd., Gold Coast, as cyanide assistant. In February, 1940, he was appointed assistant metallurgist, and at the time of his death held the position of chief metallurgist.
He was elected to Associateship of the Institution in 1941.
Vol. 58, Trans I.M.M., 1948-49, p.593
