INFERIOR QUALITY OF SOVIET IRON ORE DELIVERIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006100150002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 24, 2008
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: March 10, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006100150002-9
Inferior Quality of Soviet Iron
Ore Deliveries
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
NOFORN
COUNTRY Hungary/USSR
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE ACQUIRED
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES 45110
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
10 March 1955
1. The poor quality of Soviet iron ore deliveries to Hungary is causing constant
trouble in the dzd and DibsgL-Iron Works. In particular, the dusty form of
the iron ore results in large quantities being blown away by the draught from
the upper parts of the blast furnaces. On the other hand, if the furnaces are
fed too compactly, the draught is blocked.
2. The Hungarians have repeatedly intervened with Soviet representatives in Budapest
with a view to obtaining better-quality ore. As these interventions have had no
result, an official of the Ministry for Metallurgy and the Engineering Industries
visited the Don Basin iron-ore mines in November 1954, to discuss the problem.
3. The Hungarian official returned from this trip empty-handed. The Soviet mining
officials informed him that they could not supply better-quality ore, and that
if the Hungarians find it too dusty, they should make it into briquettes before
feeding their furnaces.
4. In his report on his trip, the Hungarian official explained that the Soviets
have the most elaborate and modern equipment for sorting ore, which could be
run efficiently by 183 persons. However,, this equipment is not used,and some
four thousand workers are employed in uorting the ore by hand. The Soviets
explained to the Hungarian official that they find this old me thod of sorting
by hand more satisfactory. In the opinion of the Hungarian official, however,
the real explanation is that they have not the trained men to run the modern
equipment.
5. Unable to solve his problem in the East, the Hungarian official was sent to
the West in the middle of Dacember, 19549 with a view to investigating modern
Western methods for dealing with inferior--qualityforese His mission is being
treated as highly confidential, as the 0w...nd Diosgy Iron Works are most
anxious to conceal it both from the Russiant and from the Stalin Iron corks,
which they regard as bitter competitors and rivals. The Hungarian official
is hoping to ascertain methods for feeding blast furnaces with inferior-quality 25X1
ores, which overcome the disadvantages which they are at present experiencing.
Failing this, he will investigate the possibilities of purchasing equipment
for making dusty ore into briquettes.
SECRET
N OF.ORN
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
C
FBI ~~ AEC
Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006100150002-9