Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa

History

The growth and formation of the Mine Ventilation Society follows the fascinating history of the
mining industry in South Africa. A number of farsighted professionals recognised the need for a
forum to discuss common ventilation problems, and in 1944 The Mine Ventilation Society of
South Africa was formed. The growth and success of the Society has been due to the vision of
these early members, many of whom were charismatic and colourful characters. It is often said
that the strength of a society is its members and the MVS certainly has had many strong and
dedicated members.

This publication outlines ventilation problems that mines have experienced over the years and the
part that the Society and its members have played in their solutions. The Society has been the
forum where many thought-provoking discussions have taken place between our members.
I wish to thank all those who dedicated so many hours providing countless interesting anecdotes
and giving invaluable information. For many of us, who did not know the early members, it
allows us to get to know them and appreciate their personalities.

I also wish to thank the Committee Members for their support with this project.
A special thank you is given to Melanie Low who has recorded our history with feeling and
understanding. It is through her effort that our founders are recorded for future generations.

Russell Ramsden
Chairman, History of the Mine Ventilation Society

Presidents, past and present

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P. Mullineux 1944 - 1947	A.W.T. Barenbrug 1947 - 1948 1948 - 1949 1955 - 1956 1965 - 1966	R.E. Campbell-Pitt 1949 - 1950	J.A. Drummond 1950 - 1951

S.R. Rabson 1951 - 1952 1967 -1968	G.F.J. Braunger 1952 - 1953	M. Barcza 1953 - 1954	J. de V. Lambrechts 1954 -1955
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H.E.R. Rayner 1956 - 1957	W.L. Le Roux 1957 - 1958	D.G. Beadle 1958 - 1959	P.H. Kitto 1959 - 1960

J.H. Quilliam 1960 - 1961	D.F.H. Grave 1961 - 1962	R.S.J. du Toit 1962 - 1963	J.W. Lawrie 1963 - 1964
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F.C. Startup 1964 - 1965	J.C. Jacobs 1966 -1967	M.P.J. Sandys 1968- 1969	H.M.W. Eschenburg 1969 -1970

R. Hemp 1970 - 1971	A. Whillier 1971 - 1972	J.H.J. Burrows 1972 - 1973	R.M. Stroh 1973 - 1974

P.F. Cilliers 1974 - 1975	M.J. Martinson 1975 - 1976	W. Holding 1976 - 1977	J.D. Greig 1977 - 1978

A.D.Unsted 1978 - 1979	M.J. Howes 1979 - 1980	W.F. Gebler 1980 - 1981	N. Thorp 1981 - 1982

T.G. Ubsdell 1982 - 1983	R.A. Sizer 1983 -1984	B. Schmitz 1984 - 1985	H.J.M. Rose 1985 - 1986
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A.M. Patterson 1986 - 1987	L.J.C. Pretorius 1987 - 1988	S.J. Bluhm 1988 - 1989	P. Deglon 1989 - 1990

R. Ramsden 1990 - 1991	J. Guthrie 1991 - 1992	A.J. Kielblock 1992 - 1993	R.E. Gundersen 1993 - 1994

D. Marais 1994 - 1995	D.E. Wrigley 1995 - 1996	G.J. van Rensburg 1996 - 1997	D.M. Walters 1997 - 1998

M. Biffi 1998 - 1999	F.H. von Glen 1999 - 2000	H.E.S. Moorcroft 2000 - 2001	D.J. Stanton 2001 - 2002

A.C. Oberholzer 2002 - 2003	A. Thomson 2003 -2004	P Wessells 2004 -2005	H Smit 2005 -2006

J J du Plessis 2006 -2007	D Van Greuning 2007 -2008	J van Rensburg 2008 -2009	B Belle 2009 -2010

M de Koker 2010 -2011	S Ambrosio 2011 -2012