PROPOSED INTEGRATION OF WEST POLISH AND CZECH HEAVY INDUSTRY AND MINING ENTERPRISES/REACTIVATION OF THE LOWER SILESIAN COPPER MINES/CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF KYANITE DISCOVERED IN THE DISTRICT OF KORALPE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R001200910001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 16, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 3, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

,Appro f d'For Release 1999/09 O~ -00423ROO1200 4 gU7
Country: Austria/Czechoslovakia/Poland/Rumania
Subject: Proposed Integration of West Polish and Czech DATE 3 Dec 53
Heavy Industry and Mining Enterprises/Reactivation
of the Lower Silesian Copper Mines/Considerable RESPONSIVE TO
Amounts of Kyanite Discovered in the District
of Koralpe
Place Acquired:
Date ;jcquired:
Date (of Infg): 15 Nov 53 and earlier
Source:
25X1X6
25X1A2g
25X1X6
AUSTRIA
1. "The Anglo-International Industry Ltd, the Alliance Europeene, and US
industrial circles are interested in the mining of disthen (kyanite) in
the area of the south-Austrian province of Carinthia, in the district of
Koralpe. Estimates of geologists disclose that 'considerable' (though
undisclosed) amounts of kyanite are deposited especially in the Kragerberg
and the Kreuzkogel mountains in the Koralpe district. It was stated
recently in Vienna that millions of dollars are spent annually, to import
this raw material from Asia to Europe, used in the fabrication of fire-
proof bricks. Requirements are estimated at 13 thousand tons in Italy,
and at least 10 thousand metric tons in Germany (Federal Republic) alone.
The funds necessary to utilize the deposits are so large that only
international circles are able to bring the project to realization.
2. "The Austrian magnesite industry established an all-time high in monthly
25X1A8a production during September 1953, when a total of 76,462 metric tons were
mined.
"The September 1953 production of ores and minerals in Austria amounted
to 233,490 metric tons of iron ore, 13,963 of copper ore, 8,796 of Jead-
zinc ores, 871 of antimony, 1,808 of bauxite, 21,077 of kaolin, and'
7,121 tons of quaite. About seven thousand miners are employed a _,
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CZECHOSLOVAKIA
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4. "Soviet demands work toward the integration of the West-Polish andZech
heavy industry and mining enterprises into a huge combine. West GatLcian
iron ore, and coal from the Czech mines at Ostrawa are to be procetgbd
in the iron and steel combines of both countries. Despite the steep
mining of iron ore in the Slovakian and Polish mines
r qty ~ TO CIA
25X1 bred Fo Release 1999/0$6 3-00423R00120 1T~0 ( *7 p~(
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? Approved For Release I 9991 /_1:0' , ~NO0423R001200910001-7
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(1948 level known to be 3,250,000 metric tons), the volume does not meet the
requirements of processing enterprises. Ability to compete with West
Europe is hampered further by the low quality of the coke, which is
very much inferior to the Ruhr quality. Czechoslovakia's crude steel
production is to reach 5,200,000 metric tons during 1953, the production
of pig iron four million metric tons.
POLAND
"The Polish Ministry of Mining has ordered the reactivation of the Lower
Silesian copper mines of the former German Berg and Huetten AG, a
subsidiary of the G Giesche's Erben Mining Company. To process the
copper ore mined in this area, which since 1945 is Polish territory (taken
from the Germans), the combine 'Konrad' in Boleswiec will receive
machinery. Furthermore, a copper ore mine near the combine is to be
enlarged. This mine also was part of a German company prior to 1945.
RUMANIA
6. "Newly developed mining machinery is now f1_5 Nov 5J being produced in
Rumania at an increasing rate. First, a new type of light, operating on
the 'induction' principle (sic) has been ordered in large quantities,
while the production of new cutters is very young. The old types of
cutters have been modified to permit lighter weight and better replacement
of parts. The tendency in the development of Rumanian mining equipment
is directed toward the easiest repair of all machinery without bringing
it to the surface."
Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDP83-00423R001200910001-7