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realistic mineral development policy. Although one of the functions of the Mines Department of the Board of Trade (Mining Industry Act, 1920) was to secure a the most effective development and utilisation of the mineral resources of the United Kingdom, the collection and assessment of information of this kind, a great deal of which could have been obtained from the industry and from the Geological Survey, never seems to have been attempted.
TOI SVET CUT DUOI SONO STROOND Wen preny RVONTA SIS 406. In some respects MDC minerals have undoubtedly suffered from lack of official attention because of their much lesser importance in comparison with coal. Nevertheless, the supplies of some MDC minerals provide the whole of our industrial requirements with, in certain cases, substantial margins for export. All are important in times of war, even when the output of some is small in relation to the total needs of the country. At the present time increased production of domestic mineral raw materials represents import savings, in many cases from hard currency areas; this is particularly true of the non-ferrous metal ores and haematite, vebraizny do otedy odt lart 407. In both the World Wars demands have suddenly arisen for increased production or new production of certain minerals which it has been impossible to meet in the time available because of the lack of information or of the necessary preparatory work. Such demands should be foreseen and all appro- priate measures taken in advance so far as is reasonable and practicable! 408. In this country operations over many years have largely exhausted the more accessible deposits of some of the minerals of more restricted distribution to the point at which proved reserves amount to only a few more years' supply. The chief minerals in this category are the non-ferrous ores, haematite iron ore, fluorspar, barytes and witherite. These are the minerals where strategic considerations sometimes become important. It is true that geological information suggests that in certain places new deposits may be found, but present information is totally inadequate for estimates to be made of the future contribution to the country's needs which might be made by mineral deposits of this kind.smarda svignerongmen sdr al 4409. With regard to minerals such as salt, gypsum and anhydrite, china clay; ball clays and fullers's earth, while in general large reserves have been proved, the need for additional information about the limits of deposits and their variations beyond the boundaries of existing undertakings is becom- ing essential. This is because the absence of any cause for anxiety about reserves, even if we look as far ahead as, say; fifty years, is contingent on working being efficient, properly planned and co-ordinated with other industrial developments and land uses. gem vol ukhanoqon constarekter
410. Output has increased so much in recent years that, in spite of still considerable reserves, the effects of the rate of extraction on the future work- ing of these minerals must be a matter of national concern and should no longer be ignored. Badly sited or inefficient workings of these minerals during the next few years, or planning decisions taken without the essen- tial information about the available resources, could easily result in impor- tant parts of future reserves being sterilised, for all time or rendered more costly to extract, The chief way in which bad planning can be avoided is by obtaining sufficient information about the distribution and nature of the deposits as a whole so that workings can be planned in relation to the shape and extent of the mineral occurrences and the economic size of the individual -undertakings determined irrespective of any limitations imposed by the artificial surface boundaries of mineral ownership.
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411. Generally speaking, within this group of minerals, the need is for more knowledge about the extensions of existing deposits. Nevertheless, the possibility of making new discoveries must not be overlooked.
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recent discovery of potash minerals and salt in N.E. Yorkshire (page 44) is a case in point and fteken in conjunction with pgeological evidence not yet confirmed by boring, suggests that the possibilities of discovering other new important, deposits of minerals of this kind in different country must not be overlooked. Similarly in the case of china clay, areas are known where new deposits may be found but have not yet been properly explored. Although the industry already has substantial reserves, the prospect of disclosing better quality deposits or deposits which are easier to work, must not be disregarded:
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Low-grade and Marginal Mineral Deposits un
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412: A great deal more preliminary information is necessary in regard to another class of mineral deposits, that of the low-grade ores and other mineral deposits which are not at present economic. It has been said that the waste of yesterday frequently becomes the sub-marginal reserve of today and the ore of tomorrow; innumerable examples can be given in illustration of this, several from our own country. Similarly, new uses have been found for mineral products which have revolutionised previous ideas about mineral economics; new methods of working or of treatment have been developed which have turned useless deposits into valuable minerals, The form in which the mineral deposit is found is sometimes more impor- tant than the tonnage or the grade. Above all variations in market prices and in industrial demands are constantly changing our conception of what is or is not worth working.
413. Information of this character was occasionally sought by mineral owners who were anxious to have their minerals worked; necessarily, how- ever, it was limited to the narrow confines of individual mineral ownerships. To some extent also, the collection and publication of data of this kind forms part of the work of the Geological Survey. What is required in future is the comprehensive assessment of all data available from the economic standpoint, and the initiation of further exploration and research into prob- lems of mineral dressing and processing, so that new development can be encouraged if and when justified, or full information about the conditions under which the working of low-grade or marginal deposits would become economic is obtained and made ready for use at the appropriate time. In the British Commonwealth countries and in the U.S.A. research work on low-grade ores and minerals is an important function of the Government Departments responsible for mining.
414. In this connection the strategic factor may be of considerable im- portance. Past experience has shown that in an emergency there is no time to start collecting data, let alone to carry out all the preliminary work necessary to set in train mining operations which can produce a significant contribution to national needs in a short time. On this account alone there would seem to us to be a strong case for the proper and systematic investi- gation of some of the occurrences of certain minerals of possible strategic but not at present economic importance, even when only small tonnages are available relative to national needs as a whole. Obvious examples of minerals in this category are wolfram, tin ore, mica, felspar and fluorspar.
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415. It is impracticable for the Government to attempt to exercise posi- tive functions in regard to mineral development which would have any last- ing value without at the same time providing the means whereby reliable and essential information can be made available. We therefore gecommend the establishment forthwith of a mineral resources survey as an essential function of the new mineral development organisation already proposed.
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One of the objects would be to carry the work of the Geological Survey in the mineral field afstage further, and where justified de 1988 geological conclusions from the economic standpoint. Another would be to provide adequate information for the planning and conduct of new exploration schemes. This should apply not only to large-scale, Government-sponsored exploration, but also to prospecting generally, The chances of important discoveries being made by the old-time type of individual prospector with limited funds are fast disappearing in this country, if they have not already long since passed in many districts. Nevertheless there are still places where prospecting in a small way may prove to be of great value. A mineral survey should assist in defining such places, and, by providing information, encourage the genuine prospector, and stimulate his enterprise by advice and assistance based on up-to-date technical knowledge.
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The Meaning of a Mineral Resources Survey
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416. Comprehensive information about mineral resources can be broadly described as covering quantitative and qualitative information of resources or potential resources together with such knowledge of their distribution and of other technical considerations necessary to encourage future develop- ment and enable it to follow a profitable, efficient, and properly-organised plan.
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417. In regard to a particular mineral area or mineral occurrence a survey to obtain sufficient information to decide whether economic operations were possible would normally be split up into three stages. In some cases the first would indicate that no further work was justified; in others Govern- ment interest might be extended to the completion of the second stage, or even the third, if necessary, to obtain sufficient information to enable private enterprise either to complete the exploration or to commence development or production.
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418. The first stage is the examination of geological, evidence. This would normally provide information about the situation, structure, mode of occur- rence and mineralogical composition of mineral deposits, together with such geological conclusions, as can be drawn about their relationship to the rocks in which they are found, their extent, variability and other matters which might affect the economics of their extraction: Where mineral deposits were not proved but only suspected then the evidence would deal mainly with those geological factors, favourable and unfavourable, on which information had to be obtained and correlated with adjacent or neighbour- ing' known deposits. A great deal of information of this kind about most of our mineral deposits and the mineral districts of the has already been collected and examined by the Geological Survey and has been pub- lished, or is available for reference.
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419. The second stage is the direct application of geological conclusions to mining possibilities. It involves the detailed and comprehensive study of all the mining data available from old workings, plans and other records, so that the information can be assessed and a plan of further exploration prepared.
420. The third stage covers actual prospecting and exploration which may include geophysical work, boring, shaft sinking, driving tunnels, sampling. testing and other kindred matters. It is work which covers the field of many experts and specialists, chiefly, of course, that of the mining engineer. At every stage, uplason would have to be maintained agith the Geological Survey so that new geological information obtained in the course of the work could be used to the best advantage,
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421p comprehensive survey of resources, puch as we propose above, could not expect to reach finality. It would be a continuing process, subject to review from time to time, because one of the unavoidable difficulties of certain types of mining is that full details about a particular mineral deposit are obtained only as working proceeds and uncertainties may continue until the deposit is worked out. Conclusions built up from details available about individual mineral workings, therefore, would have to be applied to mineral districts as a whole, so that where need be steps could be taken to obtain further information where important gaps in the overall picture remained to be filled. It will be obvious that the task is one on which private enterprise and the Government would have to co-operate, since some private enterprise" and the G of the information would have to be supplied by individual mineral undertakings.
Confidential Information
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422. In the past, when conditions were highly competitive, mining com- panies were generally reluctant to disclose information about ore reserves and other matters concerning the properties they controlled. In recent years, however, particularly with companies operating abroad, the position has substantially changed and it is now the exception rather than the rule for companies to withhold information about development results and ore reserves, particulars of which are usually given in their annual reports. In this country there are still instances of both large and small mining concerns who do not willingly disclose information of this kind for publication,
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423. The Geological Survey can require geological information about mineral deposits to be disclosed by mining companies, but, if requested, such information has to be kept confidential and used only to assist in drawing general geological conclusions.
424. It would seem to us that in future it will be completely illogical for any information of the kind required in connection with a mineral survey not to be made readily available and, if necessary, published. It should be possible to devise a suitable arrangement whereby details about mineral deposits and their working which may affect the interests of any particular firm could be made available on a confidential basis and not disclosed. We believe, however, that generally in future such a necessity for non-disclosure should be a rare occurrence; it should be avoided whenever possible.
Official Statistics
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425. We have noted that when publication of mineral production statistics was resumed by the Ministry of Fuel and Power after the War, it was in a much more condensed form than was the practice by the Mines Department prior to 1939. In our opinion this is a retrograde step. We consider that if the publication of statistics is to have any real value to the mining industry under present conditions, more detailed information is required to be given. This should be a matter for the Commission but it should be examined irrespective of whether or not our recommendation for the setting up of the Commission is adopted heat
CHAPTER XI
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THE FUTURE ORGANISATION OF MINERAL
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420 Although the various functions and duties we have described as being necessary for the Government to assume in regard to mineral development are both technical and administrative in character, the background is
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essentially technical, so that applied and specialist knowledge and experience must provide the basis of any permanent arrangements made. adi 12 Moitomu) has gonellrehog si luo 162 01 Jetlovswor usinevmos 427. The need for the whole of the work to be centralised under one
properly
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with specific aims and functions, is overwhelm the requisite staff, and
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Each of the steps we have proposed are inter-dependent, and form an integral part of a unified and positive policy. It would not be practicable, in our view,
view, otherwise to secure the proper co-ordination of effort throughout the various mineral industries we have examined; neither could adequate technical direction and efficiency be achieved if the responsibilities were divided between different Departments. Diode almenim bamsen DIAS (frule so? O qlirenwo IT (in
428. The specialised nature of work of this kind has long been recognised in the British Dominions and other countries abroad where mineral industries of national importance are in existence, and central organisations essentially similar to that we are proposing have long been established. The constitution and functions of the various organisations naturally differ considerably in detail, but the principle of general responsibility for looking after the country's mineral raw materials, securing their best use, and fostering their development is common throughout. The relevant sections of the United States Bureau of Mines may perhaps be regarded as an example of
the type of organisation we have in mind, although the size and importance of the mineral industries of the U.S.A. (the Bureau covers all minerals and mineral substances, including coal and petroleum, and has other functions, e.g., health and safety responsibility) far exceeds that of the minerals with which we are concerned in this Report, and any arrangements in this country must be on a correspondingly smaller scale.sno gênes ond de Rojda
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429. The fact that the proposed organisation will own the mineral resources of the country on behalf of the State, and the general nature of its duties both suggest that it could perform its task better as a properly constituted Commission with appropriate powers, rather than as part of, and from within, a Government Department. The functions of the “ Coal Com- mission”, set up under the Coal Act, 1938, to acquire and manage the property and rights in unworked coal and mines of coal, and of the Forestry Commission, both concerned with the conservation and development of natural raw materials, indicate that a constitution on somewhat similar lines is required. The analogy with the "Coal Commission ", with extended functions in certain respects, is perhaps the closer, but as this body is no longer in existence, the Forestry Commission is now the nearest parallel.
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430. From the administrative point of view the Commission cannot operate satisfactorily unless it is responsible to a single Minister, and having con- sidered possible alternatives we have come to the conclusion that the present statutory position should be maintained and that the Minister should be the Minister of Fuel and Power. The Minister should be specifically answer- able in Parliament for the Commission, for laying down the broad lines of the policy to be pursued and, among other things, for the appointment and conditions of service of its members, bio-es bus noliowo38 h)
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431. We have reached these conclusions in full knowledge that if accepted they will involve an adjustment of present Government administrative arrangements due to the division between different Departments of statu- tory responsibilities for mineral production on the one hand and end use control on the other while responsibility for mineral development as set out in the Ministry of Fuel and Power Act, 1945, rests with the Minister of Fuel and Power. Without giving some consideration to these matters, it
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59is not possible to set out clearly our ideas of how the Commission should work, and Bugobservation and conclusions are given belowf 62is, more convenient, however, first to set out the constitution and functions of the Commission.
432. Our proposals may be summarised as follows:-.
SITIA
(i) The Minister should establish a new organisation responsible to him on matters of policy, but with certain specific executive powers, to be known as the “Mineral Development Commission", the con- stitution of which should be on similar lines to that of the Coal Commission (see Coal Act, 1938).
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(ii) The ownership ("fee simple ") in certain specified minerals should
be acquired, and together with the development value "
in-the same minerals (at present vested in the Central Land Board) should be transferred to the new Commissión.
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433. The chief functions of the Mineral Development Commission should be :-
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(a) General responsibility for the management of the property rights in minerals on behalf of the Nation, for fostering mineral discovery. development, efficient working and research.
(b) Establishment and operation of a national mineral resources sur- vey. This should include the preparation of comprehensive and up-to-date mining maps, reports and estimates relating to known or potential mineral occurrences and to mineral reserves.
(c) Subject to the consent of the Minister, the fixing of conditions of working in respect of existing leases where this is deemed to be necessary in the national interest.
(d) Administration and supervision of all matters concerning mineral leases. This should include the granting of prospecting licences and leases over such areas, and under such conditions, financial or other- wise, as may be deemed expedient, provided that the area concerned has been scheduled by Local Planning Authorities for mineral work- ing and development permission has been obtained.....
(e) Extension of the mineral survey where necessary to include explora- tion to obtain information essential for a proper assessment of mineral resources and their efficient development, or to encourage new or expanded mining operations. Where this involves work on properties already under lease to mining concerns, terms should be agreed between the Commission and the firm concerned under which the work can be best carried out.
(f) Provision of technical advice, to be used by the Minister of Town and Country Planning in connection with the preparation of de- velopment plans, for other Government Departments, and to mining. oal to
concerns.
(g) Promotion and co-ordination of research into methods of prospect- ing, mining, mineral extraction and dressing, and into new uses for minerals and mineral products, including the erection and opera- tion of pilot plants.
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(h) Granting financial assistance to private mining undertakings, with the Fapproval of the Minister, where for any greason ofthe long-term national interest it is desirable to maintain or facilitate production of more efficient working.
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(i)psetting up of appropriate organisations, with the approval of the
age 1 Minister, to operate mineral projects where this is expedient in the LO DONK B01G national interest.
VIE) VEG Pimel Volo una mgolf to arbinité ons to enor (To make recommendations to the Minister in those cases where to the Commission, considers that the amalgamation of undertakings He is necessary in order to secure the most economic or most efficient
development of mineral resources.
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Relationship to other Departments Biv. vorne bronin & let nolent
434. With regard to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the relationship of the proposed Commission is clear, whether it is direct, or through the Minister responsible for mineral development. First, and most important, the Commission will need to maintain the closest possible relationship with the Geological Survey & Museum (D.S.I.R.) since it will rely on that Institution mainly for the provision of fundamental geological data, not only in the early stages of the mineral survey, but continually as the work proceeds. One of the deficiencies of national policy in the past has been that there has been no means of carrying the work of the Geological Survey in the mineral field beyond the stage of geological deduc- tions, or of testing its possible economic, as distinct from scientific, importance.
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435. Secondly, on the question of research generally, the Commission should in all cases examine with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research the possibility of using or extending existing research facilities, whether within that Department or outside, to cover investigations into any par- ticular mining or mineral development problems. It should be noted here, however, that the research problems of the Commission will often be directly related to investigations in the field, and that almost certainly the Commis- sion will need to be equipped with some research facilities of a specialised kind under its own control.
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436. Relationship with the Ministry of Town and Country Planning has already been discussed (see Chapter VIII). The position may be marised by saying that development plans, where they must include pro- vision for existing or potential mineral workings, should be prepared or amended after information has been supplied by the Commission, as distinct from Production Departments as at present (see below). The scheduling of an area for mineral working should normally imply that development permission will not be withheld providing that the Commission is prepared to grant new prospecting licences or leases, or to confirm or renew existing leases. If conditions of working fixed by Local Planning Authorities to development permissions are contested, either by the mineral undertaking or by the Commission, the Minister of Town and Country Planning should consult with the Minister of Fuel and Power, who would then act in the same capacity as existing Production Departments for this purpose.
437. We have already referred (para. 351) to the steps which are at present being taken by the Ministry of Town and Country Planning to secure information about mineral undertakings and mineral occurrences for the purposes of exercising their responsibilities in connection with the mineral workings provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947.
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438. In our opinion some at least, if not all, of the functions of that Ministry in respect of obtaining technical information about MDC mineral deposits should be assumed by the Commission, as they are logically part