reveal additional ore. Bolivia is one of the particularly important Western Hemisphere sources of tungsten when prices are low. Substantial quantities of tungsten are also recovered in refining Bolivian tin ores at the United States Government-owned tin refinery at Texas City, Tex. Some Bolivian tungsten is obtained as a byproduct of tin mining. At the present time the political and economic situation in Bolivia is such that predictions regarding the future production of tungsten are very uncertain; the dependability of Bolivia as a major source of tungsten imports during an emergency will rest largely with these factors, rather than on technical problems at the mines. Brazil At present production of tungsten in Brazil is nearly equal to that of Bolivia; however, in 1949, when low prices prevailed, the production was about one-fifth of the Bolivian output. Some mines in Brazil have now been equipped with modern mine and mill plant and may be able to continue large-scale production of prices considerably lower than those now prevailing; additional mechanization will probably be required if the present high production is to be maintained. Ore reserves are estimated to contain 40 million pounds of tungsten; however, there is considerable uncertainty regarding this estimate. Development of the scheelite deposits in northeastern Brazil may reveal much additional ore. Brazilian capital shows little interest in mining, and the mining laws are often considered restrictive. However, Brazilian mining conditions, while not ideal, hold some attraction for foreign capital. Allowing for all factors, technical, economic, and political, Brazil should be a dependable source of future supplies of tungsten for the United States. During the first half of 1953 Brazil was the leading source of United States imports from areas in the Western Hemisphere. Peru In 1951 Peru produced 1.5 percent of the world output. The geology of the country is favorable, and there are many known occurrences; but lack of transportation and of small or centrally located concentrating mills to handle ores from surrounding feeder mines prevents present expansion. Peruvian mining law since May 1950 is probably the most favorable in the Western Hemisphere, with the possible exception of Canada, from the standpoint of offering a maximum of development incentives, and the resulting vigorous revival in mining activity has yet to reach its peak. As a continuing and expanding source of raw materials essential to the United States, Peru is one of the strongest countries in South America. The Pasto Bueno mine was assisted to expand production by an Export-Import Bank loan. An important feature of the expansion program was an 80-kilometer road. Production in 1953 will probably be double that of 1952, and the increased production rate will be maintained for several years. In the first 6 months of 1953 the United States received 511,000 pounds, tungsten content, from Peru. Africa Africa has over 30 political divisions. The most important suppliers of tungsten have been the Belgian Congo and its mandate, Ruanda-Urundi, Union of South Africa and affiliate, South-West Africa, Uganda, and Southern Rhodesia, which in 1951 contributed 94 percent of total African production. Although these sources contain the great bulk of reserves in Africa, tungsten is also known to occur in French Cameroons and Egypt. Present production is not impressive, but good possibilities for expansion exist. The Union of South Africa now uses or is about to use part of its production in manufacturing tungsten carbide, principally for consumption by its own large mining industry and that in other areas. Ultimately the Union's example may be followed by other producers, particularly the Belgian Congo and Uganda. Hydroelectric power for use in such manufacturing operations will be available by 1958 or earlier. In the Union there is a growing tendency to advocate limitation of export production of tungsten and other critical minerals. This is proposed in part to further self-sufficiency, but it also results from a desire to save reserves until mine production can be processed locally and the profits represented kept at home. The output of concentrates over any required for local use or by the controlling country would be available to the United States on a world price basis. On the other hand, incentive to expand the industry would be mostly removed if the United States is eliminated as a market for African tungsten products. All of the areas under discussion are in the southern half of Africa and consequently less vulnerable to enemy action than the Mediterranean littoral. Portugal and Spain The northwestern portion of the Iberian Peninsula is the world's fourth largest source of tungsten concentrates. A mineralized area extends across the international boundary and comprises the northern part of Portugal and the western part of Spain. Production during 1951 was 13.9 percent of the world total. Taxes have an important effect on the production of tungsten concentrates. In Portugal the export tax is applied on the basis of tungstic oxide (WO, content), and under the decreased selling prices the Government is taking about 50 percent ad valorem. One large tungsten mine in Spain was assisted by an ExportImport Bank loan for mining machinery that is expected to increase production of concentrates as much as 500 metric tons annually. In Portugal five mines were assisted by European recovery plan financing, and an equal number will receive counterpart funds as soon as the projects are approved by the Portuguese Government. Australasia In recent years Australasia has mined about 5 percent of the world production of tungsten. The largest part has come from the open-pit mines of King Island Scheelite, Ltd., on King Island north of Tasmania. Production of tungsten is small and scattered in the rest of Australia. Mining in Australia is handicapped by poor transportation, great distances, low labor productivity, high wages, prohibitive taxation, and Government inertia. The bulk of Australian tungsten production has been exported to Europe, but the United States now receives a substantial quantity. Burma About half of the Burmese production has generally come from the Britishowned Mawchi mine in remote Krenni, one of the southern Shan States. The peak output for Burma was approximately 8,300 tons of 60 percent WO, concentrates in 1941, 16.5 percent of the world's total for that year. Thailand Thailand normally supplies 2 to 3 percent of world output and ranks 10th among producing countries. It is important to the Western Hemisphere since the output of China is no longer available. Peak production of 1,700 metric tons of 60-percent concentrates (WO) was reached in 1943 under Japanese occupation. This fell to 200 tons in 1946. General conditions improved, and production (estimated) rose to 1,200 tons in 1950, despite Government restrictions and other uncertainties. 1952 production was estimated to be 1,600 tons. The United States is likely to remain a leading importer in view of Reconstruction Finance Corporation loans and arrangements by the Wah Chang Trading Corp. (an American company) with leading producers. During the first half of 1953 the United States received 1,257,000 pounds, tungsten content, from Thailand. China China has the world's largest reserve of tungsten minerals. The grade of the deposits is much higher than those of other countries. Because the deposits have undergone only meager development, there is considerable difference of opinion regarding the reserves, but the total may be as much as 4 million metric tons of concentrates. Tungsten occupies second place in mineral production in China, in terms of value. Overland transportation to the U. S. S. R. is difficult, but it is said that new railroads are under construction, which would relieve this difficulty. The important deposits are in Kiangsi and Kwangtung Provinces, some 200 miles in a direct line from the South China Sea and vulnerable from Formosa either for attack or occupation. Korea The Sang Dong mine and its surrounding area is one of the most important tungsten-producing regions in the world. The highest production was during the Japanese occupation in 1944, when 17 percent of the world total was produced. The mill at the Sang Dong mine was badly damaged during World War II when the Japanese were driven out; it has continued to be damaged during the present Koren war, until it is difficult to see how any production can be made, but it continues in operation at a good rate despite poor recovery. Utah Construction Co. has recently obtained a contract with the Korean Government to rehabilitate the mine and mill. The General Services Administration has a large contract with the Korean Government for the purchase of concentrates on a downward sliding scale for the next few years. In 1952 and the first half of 1953 Korea was the greatest single source of United States imports of tungsten. Tungsten produced in and imported into the United States, 1948–52 World production of tungsten ores, by countries, in metric tons of concentrates containing 60 percent WO2, 1948–521 World production of tungsten ores, by countries, in metric tons of concentrates containing 60 percent WO3, 1948-52 1—Continued This table incorporates a number of revisions of data published in previous tungsten chapters. 2 Estimate. Data not available: No estimate included in totals. Source: Foreign Minerals Statistics Unit, region IX, Bureau of Mines, June 18, 1953. Compiled by Pauline Roberts and Bernice B. Mitchell. Summary of International Materials Conference distribution plans for tungsten concentrates, 1952 |