NOTES ON THE CUBAN COPPER MARKET: PRODUCTION/SCRAP/STATISTICS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R000500560003-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 23, 2001
• Sequence Number: 3
• Content Type: REPORT

- wawa fiaf_. ? tl 2380005005
Approved For Release 2003/10/2 j ;y
Security Information
Country - Cuba
Subject - Notes on the Cuban Copper Market: Production/Scrap/stati
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Copper Production
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1. The business recession in Cuba, which started about the first of 1952 and
hit its stride in July 1952, continued into the first quarter of 1953 with
no indications of general improvement. The boom in mining has been the
one exception. It has continued at an unusually high rate during the first
quarter of 1953. Mining sources report great activity in copper exploration.
2. Minas de Matahambre in Pinar del Rio Province supplied almost the entire
national output of copper ores and concentrates during the first quarter of
1953, as in previous years.
3. Several new companies have started copper exploration, but they are not
expected to contribute more than three per cent to the total 1953 production.
Only one or two show signs of becoming copper producers within the next nice
to 12 months.
(a) One is Cia. Occidental Minera Bosch, which has holdings next to
Matahambre in Pinar del Rio Province. This concern has the backing
of a wealthy and prominent industrialist not identified], If its
production does get underway,it should not exceed 10,000 tons in 1953.
(b) A remote possibility as a copper producer during 1953 is the old
Christina Mine in Oriente Province. This mine has produced in the
past. Two US citizens("not identifie7 promoting mining in Cuba
are reported busy trying to get the mine back into production.
Observers believe that the interest shown in this mine, and the search
for capital to exploit it, indicate that a new 'vein has been uncovered.
Average Annual Copper Production [year not indicete7:
Ore: 284,907 long tons
Concentrates: 54,414+ long tons
Copper content: 39,589,971 lbs.
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6. The entire Cuban production of copper ores and concentrates was exported
to the US during 1951 - early 1953.
8.
Cuba produces no blister or electrolytic copper.
In 1951 Cuba imported 7,000 tons of blister and electrolytic copper from
the US. During 1952 Canada supplied all Cuba's imports of blister and
electrolytic copper.
9. Cuba imports about 180,000 lbs of copper alloys per annum.
10. Cuban copper scrap exports are estimated. at 1,700,000 lbs per annum. Exports.
of brass and bronze scrap are estimated at 400,000 lbs per annum. The US
takes nearly 90% of Cuban scrap exports. The UK takes about 10%. Cuba
imports no copper scrap because it has such a large surplus. About 300,000 lbs
copper scrap are used for local needs. About 800,000 lbs brass and bronze
scrap are used for local needs.
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CONFIDENTIAL/us OFFICIALS ONLY
Security Information
I
Chile:
Photographs of Chilean Naval Vessel, Presidente Pinto
19 May 53
May 53
US government agency.
.he Office of Naval Intelligence furnished the following information to
CIA for IAC dissemination in accordance with paragraph 3c of NSCID #7, This
information was obtained by DIO-3ND and was forwarded as ONI report 101+-C-53,7
available for inspection and selection from Graphics Register are five
photos of the Presidente Pinto (ex- USS Zenobia, AKA 52), a Chilean
naval transport, This vessel arrived at the Port of New York on a
routine midshipmen's training cruise on 9 Ma 1953 and departed on
16 May 1953_7 F-- I
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CONFIDENTIAL/US OFFICIAL; ONLY
Security Information
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