Abstract
THE April number (Vol. 11, No. 4) of Sands, Clays and Minerals, published by Mr. A. L. Curtis, Westmoor Laboratory, Chatteris, once again brings home to readers the fundamental purpose of this magazine. The editorial reiterates that at any rate a partial solution to the problem of unemployment lies in opening up the vast unexploited mineral resources of the British Empire. Numerous industries depend on minerals as raw materials, and increased production leads to increased activity in these industries, with a corresponding fall in unemployment. Certain minerals now being obtained from foreign sources might be produced wholly or in part within the British Empire. Obstacles to optimum development of such resources are not irremovable, though at the present time they loom large. Possibly if the responsibility for economic development were taken from bureaucratic bodies and sharply dissociated from political circles, a more rapid advance could be achieved. It is the practical men, technologists and experts who are best equipped to regulate development of mineral wealth now lying dormant within the boundaries of the Empire. Indirectly such men are already furthering this object, both in an advisory capacity and by their contributions to magazines such as this. Several articles follow in illustration of the importance of mineral wealth. Mr. W. G. Boden writes of Canadian radium, showing how important it has become in the fight against cancer. Mr. L. Sanderson describes the rare metal niobium found in association with columbite and which is destined to play an important part in steel stabilisation and welded construction for service in the embrittling zone of temperatures. In addition there are descriptions of the mineral wealth of East Africa, Southern Rhodesia and the Gold Coast. Publicity of this character obviously furthers the case for utilization of British resources to meet British demands.
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Sands, Clays and Minerals . Nature 138, 22–23 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/138022c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/138022c0