Peter Trotzig died early in 1953 at the age of 67.
Of Swedish nationality, he studied at the Stockholm School of Mines from 1904 to 1909. He obtained the diploma of mining engineer in January, 1909, and entered the Freiberg Mining School, Saxony, where he took further courses for 18 months.
His early career was spent in South West Africa. From 1910 to 1912 he was chief exploration engineer to the Deutsche Edelsteingesellschaft, and in the following year was technical manager of Charlottenfelder A.G., of Emden, working diamond mines in S.W. Africa. While managing the Neineis, Uis, Aubinhonis and Tsomtsaub tin mines of Messrs. Fr. Schmidt & Co., from 1914 to 1920, Dr. Trotzig also managed mines in the Omaruru District for Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft für Südwestafrika in 1914-1915, and was consulting engineer to Anglo-German Tins, Ltd., Johannesburg, from 1917 to 1919. During the year 1920-1921 he did private consulting work in S.W. Africa in company with Dr. Hans Merensky of Johannesburg.
Dr. Trotzig spent a year in Europe studying modern mining practice from 1921 to 1922, and then returned to the Mining Academy, Freiberg, where for four years he made a special study of gold extraction and the extraction of platinum from South African ores. In 1927 he received the degree of Doctor of Engineering of the Academy for his work on platinum.
From 1926 to 1930 he was consulting mining and metallurgical engineer to Messrs. Fried. Krupp, Essen, and he spent the following three years in Brazil as consultant to Cia Agricola Florestal e de Estrade de Ferro Monro Alegre. He returned to Sweden in 1933, and continued his consulting practice until 1938, when he was appointed general manager and consulting engineer to the Government metal mines in Saxony.
On the outbreak of war he was unable, owing to illness, to return home to Sweden and had to remain in Germany. On the occupation of Saxony by Soviet troops he was employed on scientific research work for a short period before being repatriated in 1947. After several months in hospital, he resumed professional work towards the end of the year, and was engaged on research work at the Institute of Technology, Stockholm, until the time of his death.
Dr. Trotzig was elected to Associate Membership of the Institution in 1933 and transferred to Membership in 1936.
Vol. 62, Trans IMM 1952-53, p.564
