Arthur Richard Canning died suddenly on 15th November, 1951, at the age of 83.
He began mining in 1888 in the Spanish Pyrenees, and in 1890 entered the Clausthal School of Mines in Germany, returning to London two years later to continue his studies.
From 1893 to 1895 he managed the Snowdon copper mine in North Wales, leaving to take up the position of mine manager for Wentworth Gold Fields Proprietary Co., Ltd., and Aladdin’s Lamp G.M. Co., Ltd., at Lucknow, New South Wales.
In 1899 Mr. Canning left Australia for work in Spain and Ireland for Messrs. Newgass & Co., London, and in Norway for Messrs. Thomas Bolton & Sons, and in 1901 went to the Gold Coast in charge of exploration for Itsin Wassau Gold Syndicate, Ltd.
Three years later he took the position of general manager of the Morven and Killarney-Hibernia mines in Rhodesia and in 1906-7 was employed in Tasmania by Tasmania Consols, Ltd. He travelled extensively in 1910 and 1911 for Rhodesia Consolidated, Falcon Mines, Ltd., and Rhodesia Mines Trust on reporting work, and in 1912 became manager for Jantar Nigeria Co., Ltd., and Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, Ltd.
His work there was interrupted in 1917 when he returned to London to serve at the War Office in the Royal Engineers, Inland Waterways and Docks, with the rank of acting Major.
On his return to Nigeria in 1919, Mr. Canning resumed management of the mines and was made a director. From 1923 onwards he practised as a consultant, with headquarters in London. He was director of several mining companies and a Member of Council of the Nigerian Chamber of Mines for many years.
Mr. Canning was the author of two papers published in the Transactions of the Institution: ‘The Lucknow (N.S.W.) Goldfield’ (vol. 7, 1898-9) and ‘The mining laws of Norway’ (vol. 9, 1900-01).
He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1893 and was transferred to Membership in 1899.
Vol. 62, Trans I.M.M. 1952-53, pp. 77-78
