(1) Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau The Mineral Industry of the British Empire and Foreign Countries War Period Arsenic (2) Tungsten Ores

Abstract

(1)THE necessity for complete and accurate information about the mineral resources of the British Empire has repeatedly been emphasised in these columns and elsewhere. Even before the war this need had become evident, and it was felt to be a serious reflection upon British statisticians that the most trustworthy source of such information was to be found in an American publication. During the war, the gravity of this deficiency naturally became accentuated, and the formation of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau has been the result. This bureau has now been organised, and is entering seriously upon its labours, the result being made public in the form of a succession of pamphlets, each dealing with one particular mineral. Those hitherto issued relate to minerals of relatively minor importance., and include arsenic, felspar, chrome ore and chromium, fuller's earth and magnesite. The scheme of all these pamphlets is identical; they commence with a general description of the mineral discussed, its composition, uses, and chief sources of supply. The world's output of the mineral is then given, and this is followed by a detailed description of the occurrences in the United Kingdom and the rest of the British Empire, together with statistics of production, followed by similar information concerning foreign producers. References to technical literature on the subject are given in an appendix, and in some cases there is an additional note on some important application of the mineral; for instance, the pamphlet on magnesite Contains a note on the production of magnesium chloride and its use in the manufacture of Sorel cement. It should be added that the statistics and information relate in each case to the “war period,” 1913–1919. These publications thus form a continuation of those formerly issued by the Home Office, and known as part iv. of the Report of the Chief Inspector of Mines. It would probably have been more convenient for most users of these pamphlets if the statistics had been taken rather further back, and given, say, for the last ten years, and if decennial tables were included in all future annual issues. There is some information as to costs and prices, though not sufficient for those interested in the industries, but no doubt in future years these figures will be given in more detail; it is also stated that in future issues data concerning labour, safety, etc., will be included.

(1) Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau. The Mineral Industry of the British Empire and Foreign Countries. War Period. Arsenic.

Price 6d. net. Felspar. Price 6d. net. Chrome Ore and Chromium. Price 1s. net. Fuller's Earth. Price 6d. net. Magnesite. Price 1s. 3d. net. (London: H.M. Stationery Office.)

(2) Tungsten Ores.

By R. H. Rastall W. H. Wilcockson. (Imperial Institute: Monographs on Mineral Resources, with Special Reference to the British Empire.) Pp. ix + 81. (London: John Murray, 1920.) Price 3s. 6d. net.