The U. S. Minerals Attache Program

The U.S. Minerals Attaché Program, similar to the scientific and technical attache programs of other industrialized nations, is designed specifically to keep surveillance on significant worldwide developments in minerals, metals, and fuels. Knowledge of international minerals developments is essential for both domestic planning and conduct of foreign affairs. CONTROLLED BY DEPT. OF STATE Ten minerals specialists-eight minerals attaches and two petroleum attachés-man this far-flung, worldwide program for the U.S. Government as best they can. Minerals attach& also handle oil, in posts lacking petroleum attaché. The legislative authority for the Minerals Attaché Program is the Foreign Service Act of 1946 and succeeding amendments and Presidential Executive Orders. Therefore, this program is controlled by the Department of State. Interior (representing the Bureau of Mines) and State collaborate in policy formation and direction by means of a "memorandum of agreement" which covers establishment of posts, selection of officers, contents of reports, and supplemental training. State also has about half a dozen nonspecialist officers to complement the work of the minerals and petroleum attaché. It is not the intention here to evaluate the administrative arrangements of this program but rather to describe it and to provide examples of the important job it is doing.