MONAZITE SAND AND RARE EARTH METALS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00926A000600020025-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 14, 2001
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: November 4, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

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Monazite Sand and Rare. Earth- ll.tals 140. OF PAM 1
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this Csec3oalovakfan gonernnent chemical organisation.
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(b) A list of proposed imports for ,1949 - SPolok, PrePsred br officials of~ "
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NO. OF ENCM
PrW110h-T TO
Available on loan free the OIL Library is a copy of each of the following
doc in nts:
(a) %ancrandus dealing prinoinally
with information rederding aona$ite mad and tle rars earth astals and.
*DOE Review Completed*
CLASSIFICATION COF11ID I IAI PUS OFFICIALS ONLY
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CONFIDENTIAL
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This memorandum will deal principally with
information regarding Monazite Sand and the
Rare Earth Metals and Chemicals derived
from it.
It will be recalled that Monazite Sand and
Thorium Metal and compounds are subject to
Public Law 585, - 79TH Congress -- An Act
"For the development and control of.Atomic
Energy".
l~etum to CIA Library
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I- AUSTRIA.
Treibacher Chemische?Werke A/G. (T.C.W.)
Trei ach (Kaernten) Austria.
T.C.W. was founded by the late Baron Auer Von Welsbach, the
pioneer in the field of Monazite Sand, Rare Earth Chemicals
and Metals and Radium. 'N rk also has been done in the past
on Uranium. Reference is made to B.I.O.S. Final Report No.
400 "The Cerium Industry in German Territory including reports
on Radium and Mesothorium" and to FIAT FINAL REPORT NO. 909,
"The CeriumMetal and Lighter Flint Industry in Germany And
Austria.
In 1946, a Commission of British Experts flew in from
England. Preceded by a detachment of troops, they seized
6500 kilograms of Uranium Compounds (U308, (NH4)2U309 and
Na2OU3O8). About 4000 Milligrams of Mesothorium were also
taken by the British.
As of July 25, 1948, T.C.W. had no Monazite Sand, Thorium,
Radium or radio-active materials.
T.C.W. have been unsuccessful in getting Monazite Sand.
Were promised small quantities from Egypt but this did not
materialize. Presently producing 4000 Kgs. per month of
Cerium Metal (for manufacture of lighter flints and gas
lighters) from old residues and from scrap. Expect to re-
ceive Cerium bearing ores from the Belgian Congo. T.C.W.
does not believe Russia has at present a source of supply
of Monazite Sand or Thorium.
S.A. De Pont - Brule (Entreprises Chimiques Et Electriques)-
Vilvorde
An important company manufacturing large quantities of heavy
chemicals. Prior to World War II, imported Monazite Sand and
manufactured Rare Earth Chemicals and Metals. Have been unable
to obtain Monazite Sand. Hsd some Thorium residues but found
out about a year ago that these residues had been thrown away
by accident. -
A
Selling Agents for UNION MINERE du HAUT-KATANGy. Latter company
have extensive mines in Congo including Uranium, Radium, Cobalt,
Copper, Tin, etc.
Have been searching for Monazite Sand, but none found to date.
Have found deposits of a Cerium bearing ore "Bastnasit" but
vahich does not contain Thorium.
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III- CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
United Chemical & Metallurgical Works Ltd. (called Spolek).
Spolek is the National Chemical and Metallurgical Trust corres-
ponding in size and importance to the former I.G. Farben in
Germany. 40,000 workers are said to be employed.
The attached list of materials, EXHIBIT A, which Spolek intends
to import in 1949 will give an idea as to their size.
Monazite Sand.
Spolek has tried desperately to obtain Monazite Sand and Thorium
Compounds. The Monazite is wanted to make rare earth compounds
and metals for flints, and the Thorium for gas mantles. It was
stated that the Czech Ambassador had appealed to the United
States Government for Monazite Sand but had been refused. Spolek
offered to permit inspection of its factories and to guaranty
that the Thorium would be used only for gas mantle manufacture.
Prior to the
war,
Spolek used
Norwegian
"Allanite (S102Ce
02)
for
making rare
In General.
earth
compounds.
This is
no
longer available
to
them.
Conversations were held with a number of Czech people - business
people and their families. Every one complained bitterly of what
was happening in their Country. They were worried and terrified
and thought only of escape. They felt only a new war would save
them from becoming Russian Slaves. They are being asked to join
the Communist Party under threat of losing their positions and
homes, if they refuse. It was repeatedly stated only one in ten
are Communists but this one ruled and threatened the other nine.
Example after example could be seen of th same tactics which were
used by the Na,is in Germany from 1933 on.
Several references were made to reports that the'Russians were
working the Czech Uranium Ore Deposits - 24 hours per day with
slave labor.
IV - ENGLAND.
Thorium Limited.. - London.
Thorium Ltd. is affiliated with I.C.I. and these are the only
concerns treating Monazite Sand and Thorium Compounds.
The Travencore Government (India), still refused to ship them
Monazite Sand and the negotiations have almost broken down. An
important I.M.I. and government official is said to be on his way
to India.
The impression was obtained that England has a stockpile of sand
which will last, at the present rate, from one to two years. how-
ever, the present rate is far below the demand.
Although nothing was said., one wonders if the Russians are involved
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in the refusal of the Travencore Government to ship Monazite
Sand.
Rare Earth Metals.
England has made phenominal progress with the use of the Rare
Earth Metals for alloys in two fields, viz.,
1- Gray cast irons, see attached booklet, EXHIBIT B,
"Nodular Graphite Structures Produced in Gray
Cast Irons". It was stated in a visit to the
British Cast Iron Research Association that many
of the- leading foundries are testing this process
on a large scale for important uses.
2- Magnesium - Cerium - Zirconium Alloys. See attached
booklet, EXHIBIT C,
ALLoys_,, containing rare earth metals, developed by the
Magnesium Elektron Ltd., London, are being used extensively
in new jet planes under design, and in service, including?
the famous De Havilland "ghost" and Rolls Royce "Vampires".
Also the "Mamba" jet as turbines.
Societe des Produits Chimiques des Terres Rares Str. - Paris.
S.T.R. is the most important company in Rare Earth field.
Have been appointed by French Government to handle Atomic
Energy Projects. S.T.R. has three plants.
1- "Fabriques de Produite Chimiques" at Thann. The
director of this factory is Prof. Leon Demuglle,
who recently resigned as Secretary of the Atomic
Energy Commission. Here they have an installation
to treat about 600 tons of Monazite Sand annually.
Also manufacture large quantities of heavy chemicals
including acids, Caustic Potash, Chlorine,- Titanium
Dioxide, Zirconium Compounds, etc.
2- La Rochelle. This is a new factory which will be
used for work on Atomic Energy.
3- Seer uiiney (Normandy). This factory was destroyed
by American planes, but has been rebuilt. Monazite
Sand arras originally treated here and residues from
these operations are now being treated. It is es-
timated that by December 31, 1948, about 70 tons
of Thorium Compounds will have been recovered and
shipped to the factory at La Rochelle.
A new plastic industry has been founded here using Castor Oil
as a base.
The factory at Thann is presently working with Monazite Sand
received about two years ago from Travenoorej India. At
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that time a shipment of about 200 tons was received in France.
S.T.R. has made great efforts to locate Monazite Sand during
the past two years. Experts (Mr. Raoul DeVitry and Mr. DeRohden)
have been sent to the Colonies, including Madagascar, Africa,
Indo-China and also to Brazil. Exploration of the Colonies were
unsuccessful.
It was stated that arrangements have been made in Brazil to treat
Monazite Sand there and ship the chemicals (other than Thorium)
to France.
The Brazilian company is the firm of "ORgUIiIA". Orquima have a
successful chemical factory in Brazil where they make Caffein,
Menthol and other chemicals. S.T.H. is supplying the "know how"
and OR':UIMA will operate the plant. Orquima chemists have been
in France studying the process and S.T.R. chemists have been in
Brazil. The head of Orquima is Mr. Kent Weil, who was in Paris
in July, 1948.
Deutsche Gold u Silberscheideanstalt (Degussa).
Frankfurt A /M.
Degussa is attempting to enter the rare earth chemical and metal
field and to continue the work of its former subsidiary in this
field "Auergesselschaft".
The main Auergesselschaft Plant was in Bitterfeld in the Russian
Zone. (See FIAT final report 909).
Degussa has tried to get Monazite Sand through "JEIA" but has
been unsuccessful.
Degussa had a rare earth chemical plant at Rheinfelden (French
Zone), but this has been seized by the French and turned over to
a French Company ETS. Kuhlmann (Canello) Paris. It is said there?
were considerable quantities of rare earth compounds at Rheinfelden.
Th. Goldschmidt A/G - Essen.
This company also intends to enter the rare earth metal field
starting with the manufacture of Ferro-Cerium lighter flints.
They wish to import the metal through JEIA and later manufacture
the metals from the chemicals.
TH. GOLDSCHNIIDT A.G. was one of the outstanding independent
chemical and metal companies in Germany. They were particularly
well known for their detinning processes; thermit and .,,relding
processes, and development of plywood adhesives. The attached
pamphlet, EXHIBIT D, lists their factories and products. The
Chemische Fabrik Buokau, Ammendorf, is in the Russian Zone. It
was stated that the equipment for manufacturing Tego Gluefilm
has been dismantled from the factory and moved to Russia. Tego
Gluefilm, which is also manufactured in the United States and
England under license, was used in huge quantities for making
waterproof plywood for aircraft and ships during the war.
Dr. Theo. Goldschmidt, President of the company, expects to come
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to the United States for a visit in October. He is also
President of the Chamber of Commerce for Essen and the Ruhr
District.
In General.
The impression was obtained that the Russians do not have
access to Monazite Sand.
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LIST OF PROPOSED IMPORTS FOR 1949
SPOLEK
Tin Oxide
15
Tons
Boric Acid
55
'Ions
Saltpeter
300
"
Kali Salts
6000
"
Raw borax
NA S04 (Calcined)
1500
180
Citric Acid
Strontium Carbonate
750 1
"
Barium Sulphite
79
"
Magnesium Sulphate
2116
Barium Carbonate
30
n
Sulphur
7318
"
Selenium Metal
Sodium Metal
12
Monazite Sand
1000
Nickel Sulphate
15
Glycerin
180
n
Carbon Black
50
Photo Gelatin
24
"
Casein
40
Acetic Acid
70
Acetone
20
Fatty Acid Alcohols
28
Tannic Acid
9
"
Naf ten
20
Zircon Oxide
3
"
Manganese Acid
700
Urea
2
Synthetic Resins
20
Aniline Colors
60
Organic Semi Products
Stearic Acid
1
TT
for Colors
345
DDT
175
Paraffin
30
Fats, Oils for Pharm.
600
Organic Oils
436
Pyrites
71,000
"
Manganese Ores
2460
Chrome Ore
2400
Illemite
3500
Plastics
535
"
Asbestos Filters
6.2
Asphalt
640
"
White Mineral Oil
100
Cellulose, Viscose
2500
"
Natural Rubber
20
Chlorinated Rubber
4.5
?
Ferro-Manganese
5
Lead
2310
" Chrome
220
Tin
254
Zinc
6140
Copper, ele?.
100
Nickel
11
Aluminum
190
Bismuth Ore
70
Cadmium
207
it Salts
20
Alumiftum Foil
45
"
Electrodes
2100
Iodine
10
Magnesium Oxide
17
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