Alf Welhaven died at Los Altos, California, on 20th May, 1959, at the age of 78.
A Norwegian, Mr. Welhaven graduated from high school at Fredrikstad in 1896, and then served in the merchant navy and the Royal Navy of Norway until 1900.
In the following year he emigrated to America and received general training in mining, milling and mine office work for three years, in the service of Mariposa Commercial and Mining Co., at Mount Bullion, California.
Mr. Welhaven was engaged by an American company, Oriental Consolidated Mining Co., in 1903 to work at their gold mines in Korea. He remained with this company for 23 years. He rose from the position of foreman of the South mine at Kuk San Dong Camp, to assistant superintendent in 1904, superintendent in the following year, with charge of another mine, and in 1907 superintendent of Tabowie and Tarocol mines. In 1908 he was appointed assistant general manager of Oriental Consolidated and general manager in 1909.
In 1931 Mr. Welhaven returned to the United States to carry out various examinations there, but left in 1932 for the Philippine Islands. He worked for a year as general manager of Big Wedge Mining Co., and in 1934 was appointed vice-president and consulting engineer for Marsman and Co., Inc., remaining in the Philippines with this company until his retirement from active mining in 1949. He went to live at Los Altos, California.
Mr. Welhaven was elected a Member of the Institution in 1912.
Vol. 69, Trans IMM 1959-60, p.260
