KEY POINTS:
William Anthony John (Tony) Mahon, geothermal scientist. Died aged 72.
When Tony Mahon arrived to take charge of the chemistry section of the Wairakei Research Centre, the potential for geothermal power was barely understood.
Twenty years later, in 1977, Wairakei was the fourth-largest electricity producer in the
country behind the Manapouri, Benmore and Roxburgh hydro schemes.
The development of geothermal chemistry and the establishment of the tools and criteria for exploration were due in no small part to Tony Mahon. Yet it was purely by chance that he was there at all.
He was educated in Wellington, receiving an MSc (Hons) from Victoria University, majoring in inorganic chemistry. His next two years were spent travelling in Europe, and on his return home a job with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research seemed like a good idea. Only two positions were available, one at Wairakei, and Mahon took it.
His passion for his work was boundless.
"Whatever he took on, he became fanatically interested in," his brother Peter told the Herald.
Mahon and co-worker Jim Ellis produced several papers on their experiments on water and rock interaction and the chemistry of New Zealand geothermal systems. The early days of sudden and deafening explosions of steam, rock and pumice were over, but there was still plenty of work to be done on drill holes and methods of establishing the temperature of steam reservoirs.
In 1977 Mahon and Ellis used their experience to publish what has been described as a classic textbook, Chemistry and Geothermal Systems.
While he was with the DSIR, Mahon did investigations at Kawerau, Ohaaki, Orakei Korako, Rotokawa and Tokaanu, all in the central North island, and Ngawha in Northland.
Overseas, geothermal exploration companies were keen to cash in on New Zealand knowledge and experience. Mahon, now geothermal co-ordinator for DSIR, did major evaluations in Chile, Mexico, Panama, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Japan and Indonesia.
His amiable nature was appreciated by his colleagues.
"He always met you like a long-lost friend," said Joe LaFleur of the US Geothermal Resources Council.
In 1985, Mahon left Wairakei and the DSIR for the private sector. He was appointed scientific director for Geothermal Energy NZ Ltd, where he did extensive field work in Kenya, Indonesia, Poland, Japan and Mexico. He also lectured at Auckland University's Geothermal Institute.
"Tony had the warmest heart, the twinkliest eyes and the best stories at morning tea time," remembers Jane Brotheridge, a colleague at Geothermal Energy.
Mahon was a member of the Geothermal Resources Council, and was one of a group dedicated to setting up an organisation to serve the worldwide geothermal community.
The International Geothermal Association was established finally in 1989, and Mahon served as a director and secretary 1991-1995.
In 1995 he was presented with the Joseph W. Aidlin Award for outstanding contributions to geothermal research and the development of geothermal energy. He was the first person outside the US to receive it.
Tony Mahon is survived by his wife, Paulina, daughters Vanessa and Kimberly, stepson Jose Antonio and their families.
