Dr Hasn Juie Nel (1918-2004)

摘要

Hans jurie Nel was born on the 16th June 1918 in Heilbron, Orange Free State. After completing his secondary education in Heilbron, he enrolled as a student at the University of Pretoria, where he obtained a BSc degree in 1937 and his MSc in 1939. From 1940 to 1948 he worked for the Geological Survey, first as a field geologist and then as a mineralogist in the laboratory. For research he carried out during this period he was awarded a DSc degree by the University of Pretoria in 1948. In April that year he was appointed to the post of Senior Lecturer at UP where he was responsible for teaching general geology and advanced mineralogy. He was an excellent teacher and his students will remember him for his emphasis on neatness in the laboratory, accurate observation and clear reporting. During this period he also constructed an X-ray diffraction apparatus for the Geology Department from obsolete dental equipment! At the time this was the only X-ray diffraction apparatus in a geology department in South Africa I While still at the University Dr Nel acted as Technical Advisor to the Crown in the infamous Erfdeel salting case in 1951. In 1954 he joined the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa as a mineralogist. He was given the task of setting up a mineralogical laboratory - the first of its kind at any mining company in the country.