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By William J. McDonough

Advanced materials are polymers, metals, and ceramics fabricated as intermaterial compounds, alloys, or composites. The resultant components have higher strength-to-density ratios, greater hardness and wear resistance, and one or more superior thermal, electrical, or optical properties when compared with traditional materials. Advanced materials, the basis for many of today's emerging technologies, offer savings in total energy consumption, improved performance at reasonable cost, and less dependence on imports of strategic and critical mineral resources.

Jan 1, 1992

By Keith L. Harris

Surprisingly, real gross national product (GNP) surged at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.3% for the first quarter of 1987 according to preliminary estimates made by the Department of Commerce, the highest rate in 3 yr and significantly above the revised fourth quarter 1986 rate of 1.1% (table 1). The spurt, however, was caused by an unusual $59.5 billion rise in inventories, mostly cars and trucks, and there was little support from other sectors of the economy. Motor vehicle inventories rose as consumers continued to tighten their purse strings--consumer spending declined 0.4% for the second quarter in a row. Nonresidential and residential fixed investment and government purchases of goods and services were also down from the previous quarter. The increasing cost of energy was the major factor in the jump to 3.696 in the rate of inflation, as measured by the fixed-weighted price index for GNP, and rising inflation also helped put a damper on consumer spending. The underlying good news was that the trade deficit shrank for the second quarter in a row as imports declined at an annual rate of 11.1%. Also, profits in the manufacturing sector rose strongly in the fourth quarter, and for the first time in 9 quarters, the primary metal industries became profitable (table 1). If one discounts the anomalous inventory growth, the bottom line is that the economy continues to grow at close to the expected 2.5% level experienced over the past 2 yr. Of concern over the next several quarters, though, is the impact of the large over- hang of motor vehicles inventories on the economy. EMPLOYMENT The civilian unemployment rate declined to 6.636 in March after remaining at 6.7% for the previous 3 months. Employment continued to expand in February and March, although growth was significantly slower in March than in previous months. The manufacturing sector, however, lost 24,000 jobs in March after gaining 46,000 in February. Three-quarters of that gain came when striking workers at USX Corp. and Deere & CO. returned to their jobs. Employment in the manufacturing sectors of direct interest to the mineral industries has generally been increasing for at least the last quarter, while worker hours for these sectors have been on the upswing since April 1986 (figures 1 and 2).

Jan 1, 1987

Real economic growth for the year will most likely exceed the Administration's estimate of 3.2%, up from 2.9% in 1986, unless consumers change their spending patterns more than expected as a result of the October stock market decline. The economy grew at a real annual rate of 3.7% in the first three quarters of the year, Analysts agree that the stock market decline will slow economic growth-- most have lowered their growth expectations for 1988 by about 1%; but few would argue that the economy will slow significantly in the fourth quarter of 1987. [ ] During this economic recovery, personal consumption expenditures provided the main impetus for growth and a deeping trade deficit, the main hindrance to growth. In 1987, however, personal consumption expenditures grew at a lower rate than the overall economy. Mush of the economic growth resulted from a reduced trade deficit and growing investment by business in equipment to improve productivity and to meet the domestic and foreign demand for products. The declining value of the dollar resulted in a better competitive position for U.S. goods but also contributed to a rising rate of inflation as imports rose in price. Inflation, as measured by the fixed-weighted index for gross national product, was still far below the rates in the early 1980k, however. More than 2 million jobs were created during the year, predominantly in the service sectors of the economy, and the monthly unemployment rate in September fell to the lowest level in a decade. Then, after 13 months of decline, the unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 5.9% in October.

Jan 1, 1987

The contribution of minerals to the growth and development of the United States is best demonstrated by the uses which have evolved during the past two centures. During pre-Revolutionary days the colonies were essentially agricultural in character, producing cotton, tobacco, rice, indigo, grains and flour, fish, livestock, dairy products, and timber. Shipbuilding was the major manufacturing industry. In 1763, the total value of exports for Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts was £2,722,000, of which £55,000, or 2 percent, was for "copper ore, and iron in pigs" (3)1 and £49,000 was for 21,000 barrels or hogsheads of "pot-ash." The value of 75 ships built for sale in 1763 by the colonies was £61,500.

Jan 1, 1976

By Robert G. Clarke

The production of natural abrasives varied in quantity and value compared with those of 1974. Output of tripoli-type materials and garnet both decreased in quantity and value. Special silica stone products decreased in quantity but in-creased in value. The production of emery increased 38% in quantity. The production of manufactured abrasive materials decreased for all types and the decreases were more in quantity than in value. [ ] FOREIGN TRADE Imports of abrasive materials were 15% less in value than in 1974, and exports plus reexports decreased in value 10%. Net exports, the excess of exports and reexports over imports, were $9.3 million, about four times that of 1974. The volume of all abrasive materials exported decreased and the value of nearly all decreased.

Jan 1, 1977

The Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. announced plans to raise June ingot prices by 4 cents to 57 cents per pound. Producers? April value for 99.5 percent unalloyed aluminum ingot was at 53 cents per pound. Domestic merchants last month were quoting the metal at 48-49 cents per pound. Primary aluminum producers began restarting production facilities following the settlement of the coal strike. Noranda Aluminum Inc. recalled workers to prepare potlines for production at its plant at New Madrid, Mo., which had closed February 14, 1978 due to the shortage of coal. Eastalco Aluminum Co. resumed full capacity production at its Frederick, Md. smelter where production had been cut by 30 percent. Anaconda Aluminum Co. resumed full capacity production at its Sebree, Ky. smelter.

Jan 1, 1978

By William O. Vanderburg

This paper gives the results of a reconnaissance of the mining districts in Humboldt County, Nev., made during the month of June, 19373/. During the field work, virtually all the mining districts in the county were visited and many data were obtained on a number of active and inactive properties. No attempt has boon made to include in this report all the properties in the various mining districts, and it should be emphasized that whether or not a property is mentioned herein has no being on its merit. The report covers the location of the various mining; districts, types of deposit, information on past operations and current activity, and general information likely to be useful to operators, investors, and others interested in mining. The geology of the deposits is discussed only briefly. The names of the various mining districts mentioned in this report are those generally used when they were organized for purposes of record and regulation. As organized, the districts embraced largo areas with no definite boundaries, and the names have little significance.

Jan 1, 1938

A new series of reports called ?Mineral Perspectives" (MP's) has been initiated by the Bureau of Mines with the publication of MP-1 titled, "Far East and South Asia" by K.P. Wang and the staff of the Bureau of Mines. This new series parallels the creation of the recently announced "Minerals Commodity Profiles" (MCP?s). Both series are designed to provide current information on important sectors of the mineral economy to assist professionals in government, industry, and education in monitoring supply-demand relationships that have significant impact on our domestic economy as well as on the international scene. The orientation of the "Mineral Perspective" series is a geographic one which examines the mineral situation of a region or a country. The "Mineral Commodity Profile? series examines individual mineral commodities. They are in this sense complementary.

Jan 1, 1977

By Gordon T. Austin

The combined value of production of natural abrasives, which includes tripoli, special silica stone, garnet, staurolite, and emery, increased about 21070 in 1989. The increase in the value of staurolite and tripoli production was the result of an increase in the quantity of materials produced and an increase in the unit value. Emery decreased due to the significant decline in the volume of the material produced. Special silica stone experienced both a decrease in unit value and quantity produced. Garnet showed a small increase in quantity, but a decrease in unit value. The silicon carbide industry saw a slight decrease in the quantity produced and a 12070 increase in the value of production. The fused aluminum oxide industry showed a 5070 decline in the quantity produced, but enjoyed a 15070 increase in the value of production. Combined production for both industries decreased 4070 in quantity but increased 13070 in value compared with those of 1988.

Jan 1, 1991

By NEFE NONE

Possible New U.S. Half-Dollar. - Tile George Washington Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 3133, was introduced in the House and approved by the House Banking Committee. It would allow the minting of at least 10 million commemorative silver half-dollars the size of the same coin produced before 1965. A companion bill, S. 1228, was introduced in the Senate. Taxes and the U.S. Minerals Industry. - The General Accounting Office completed a report to Congress on "Assessing the Impact of Federal and State Taxes On the Domestic Minerals Industry." the study presents a quantitative method to assess the effect of taxes on profitability, and suggests ways to use taxes or tax credits to help marginal mine operations and possibly to increase mineral production, Limited copies of the 139-page report are available free of charge from U.S. General Accounting Office, Documents Handling & Information Sevices Facility, P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, Md. 20760.

Jan 1, 1981

It is a pleasure to submit to the National Critical Materials Council (Council) some of my thoughts concerning the important tasks which lie before you. It long has been my belief that America's economic health and national security may depend to a substantial degree on whether we have available to us an adequate supply of critical and strategic materials at reasonable cost. To the extent the Council can contribute to the identification and implementation of wise public policies which facilitate the achievement of that goal, we and our children should be grateful. Even before assuming office, President Reagan warned of the danger of undue dependence on imported materials essential to the Nation's defense and economic well-being. After his election, he appointed a transition task force on strategic and critical materials, and he later directed the Cabinet Council on Natural Resources and Environment to prepare .a National Materials and Minerals Program Plan and Report to Congress, which he forwarded to the Congress in April 1982. In 1984, my predecessor, Secretary Clark, established the National Strategic Materials and Minerals Program Advisory Committee, popularly known as the "Mott Committee" because of its distinguished chairman, retired Admiral William C. Mott.

Jan 1, 1986

By Keith L. Harris

The U.S. economy continued to grow moderately in the third quarter, but at a slightly higher rate than in the previous quarter. According to the Department of Commerce's preliminary estimate, real gross national product (GNP) grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.3% during the third quarter of 1985, compared with a revised 1.9% for the second quarter and 1.6% for the third quarter of 1984 (table 1). Civilian unemployment dropped from the constant 7.3% rate between February and July to 7.0% in August and 7.1% in September. Employment on nonagricultural payrolls continued to increase (table 2), resulting in a continued rise in personal income, which in turn supported growing consumer purchases. Although purchases of services continued to provide the underlying foundation for the economic growth, the manufacturing sector received additional stimulus from significant increases in consumer purchases of durable goods, particularly automobiles. The increased demand for durable goods resulted in significantly higher industrial production for August and September, compared with levels attained previously this year (table 3). Capacity utilization increased to 80.5% in August but returned to 80.2% in September, matching the 1985 low previously reached in July (table 4). The real net export deficit grew only $0.2 billion in the third quarter; at $34.0 billion, however, it continued to exert a negative influence on the economy. On September 22, in an effort to reduce the deficit and make U.S. goods more competitive on world markets, the U.S. Government agreed to cooperate with the Governments of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom in attempting to lower the-value of the dollar in relation to other world currencies. Low inventories, rising factory orders and construction spending, the possibility of a lower U.S. dollar, and aggressive automobile production plans announced by domestic producers for the fourth quarter indicate the potential for an increase in manufacturing activity in the United States.

Jan 1, 1985

Chromium, a critical mineral for which the United States is largely dependent on foreign sources, is the subject of a new report just issued by the Interior Department's Bureau of Mines. The report is the first in a new series called "Mineral Commodity Profiles" (MCP's). Designed to give an updated review of important events affecting critical minerals, it also presents a comprehensive description of industry structure, supply-demand relationships, technology, and outlook for the future.

Jan 1, 1977

By Harold Kennedy

Take a good look at this issue of Minerals and Materials. This is the last issue of M&M, as it has been known within the U.S. Bureau of Mines, that you will receive. Fifteen years after it was created to help cope with a growing worldwide mineral shortage, M&M is ceasing publication. In its place will be a bright, new publication called Minerals Today. Like its venerable predecessor, Minerals Today will be a bimonthly magazine that reports on recent trends and issues in the minerals and materials industries. It will be the Bureau of Mines' most frequent periodical presenting an overview of the entire field of minerals and materials.

Jan 1, 1989

By A. W. Ambrose

The output or oil and gas rrom the producing fields in the United States is rapidly deelining. Coincident with this decline is a steadily increasing demand ror petroleum and its products, but at present there are no commercial substitutes ror gasoline and lubricating oil. Undoubtedly, many new fields will be discovered in this country during the next rew years. Indeed, there may be periods or temporary flush production that ror a rew months or a year or perhaps two years will afford a surplus. Such peaks are temporary and should not be given too much weight in considering the relation between petroleum supply and our national lire. In considering this problem we must regard a long period or time, and, ir we do that we shall see that domestic production will be unable to keep pace with consumption. Hence, the public good demands t~at the highest efficiency obtainable be practiced in the production or oil. To accomplish this end, the operator or to-day should so organize his rorces ror development and production that he recovers every barrel or oil that can be recovered at a profit. This necessarily involves the use or eeonomical and scientific methods or development a:nd production and the elimination or waste. The Bureau or Mines has ror years urged the conservation or petroleum and its products, and has pointed out that -such conservation should start before the oil is brought to the surface rather than arter it is in storage tanks. Losses or petroleum underground have undoubtedly been rar greater than losses in storage, in transportation, and in refining. The quantity lost usually is indeterminate, and hence difficult to express in terms or money, but by remembering that entire oil fields have been ruined by invadIng waters some idea may be gained or the importance or underground waste. The petroleum engineer is coming to be recognized as an extremely important aid in the intelligent development or oil fields. In this paper an effort is made to outline ror the engineer and producer a field or work whereby science and engineering not only can but have been applied practically. The mining engineer has been the direct- ing hand in the development of mines, and it is being recognized more and more that the petroleum engineer has a similar function in developing oil properties. Thispaper aims to show the general method of procedure in studying underground conditions in producing oil fields and how such study may not only correct but even prevent great unnecessary losses. Such work provides the company with maximum insurance for the field against loss and is accompliphed at minimum cost and minimum risk. Throughout the paper reference is made to oil wells and oil fields, but to a certain degree many of the suggestions relating to oil wells are applicable in the care and protection of gas wells and in solving gas problems.

Jan 1, 1921

During the period January 1, 1977 through July 31, 1977, 5 percent (264,000 tons) of U.S. capacity was closed due to power curtailments in the Pacific Northwest because of the shortage of water. During July, one plant in Tennessee cut production by 50,000 tons annually due to a power reduction by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Full capacity production was resumed at a West Virginia smelter during September. If demand for aluminum is strong it seems likely that aluminum supply during the remainder of 1977 and in 1978 will be tight. The price was increased 3¢ per pound to 51¢ per pound effective March 28, 1977, and by an additional 2¢ per pound to 53¢ per pound, effective July 5, 1977. New projects and expansion of existing facilities are planned by Australian aluminum companies over the next 2 to 3 years. The companies listed have committed themselves to spending approximately A$801 million: Alcoa of Australia Ltd. -New alumina plant at Wagerup, south of Perth. Darling Ranges bauxite is located near the proposed project. A$650 million. Coma 1 co Industries Pty. Ltd. -Increase bauxite mining capacity and upgrade or replace other facilities at its Weipa mines on Cape York Peninsula region of Northern Queensland. A$81 million. Alcan Australia Ltd. -Expansion program that will increase capacity of the Kurri Kurri aluminum smelter north of Sydney about 50 percent, and improvement of other facilities at the plant. A$70 million.

Jan 1, 1977

By Gordon T. Austin

The combined value of production of natural abrasives, which include tripoli, special silica stone, garnet, staurolite, and emery, increased about 4% in 1990. The increase in the value of tripoli production was the result of an increase in the unit value. Emery increased owing to an in? crease in the volume of the material produced and an increase in the unit value. Special silica stone experienced a decrease in unit value and an increase in the quantity produced. Garnet showed a 10% in? crease in quantity and a 73% increase in unit value. Staurolite decreased about 8% in the quantity produced, and the value of production decreased about 10%. The fused aluminum oxide industry showed a 5% decline in the quantity produced and in the value of production. The silicon carbide industry saw a 10% decrease in the quantity produced and a 9% decrease in the value of production. Production for both industries decreased 7% in quantity and value compared with those of 1989.

Jan 1, 1993

By C. G. Maier

The fundamental chemistry of zinc smelting, especially that part dealing with the chemical reduction of the zinc-oxide content of a roasted zinc ore, has been discussed by metallurgists in some detail, but, in the light of present knowledge, unsatisfactorily. A considerable portion of the information available has been qualitative, or quantitative in a sense that could not be interpreted chemically. A number of attempts to elucidate the physical chemistry of zinc oxide reduction have been based upon unsubstantiated and, as is now known, incorrect equilibrium data. To write upon the chemistry of zinc smelting at this time, when electrolytic methods for the production of zinc metal from ore are becoming increasingly widespread, may seem a belated effort. So, for example, C. A. Hansen,3 in the communicated discussion of an article by the author,4 writes as follows:

Jan 1, 1930

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. announced that it planned to spend $66 million to increase the efficiency of its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, alumina plant. The improvements are designed to reduce energy consumption but will not change the annual capacity of the plant, now rated at about one million short tons. The project was expected to be initiated immediately and be completed by 1982. ALUMINUM Producers in this country posted unalloyed 99.5 percent aluminum ingot at 53-57.5 cents per pound, yet actual selling prices were closer to 53 cents. Domestic merchants quoted unalloyed ingot on a spot basis at 54-56.3 cents. London Metal Exchange 3-month forward contracts fell during November's trading from 55,2 cents to 52.8 cents per pound.

Jan 1, 1978

U.S. demand for building and construction materials, such as construction aggregate, gypsum, and cement, remained strong in 1989. Cement imports declined slightly, representing about 17% of apparent consumption compared with 19% in 1988. Mexico, supplying 29% of the total, was the primary source of imports, followed by Canada with 21 %, Japan with 14%, and Spain and Greece with 10% each. Mexico was also the target of an antidumping petition, filed by producers in Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas, alleging that Mexican cement was being sold in these areas at less than fair value. This was the second petition filed against Mexico in the last 3 years. The International Trade Commission made a preliminary determination that the cement industry in these regions was materially injured by Mexican imports. U.S. demand improved for construction aggregate for the fourth consecutive year and was at a near-record level. The U.S. gypsum industry performed well, even though new housing starts decreased for the third consecutive year. Increased U.S. exports of gypsum wallboard and strength in the remodeling markets offset the impact of declining housing starts.

Jan 1, 1990