COPPER SHORTAGE IN COMMUNIST CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R009700250007-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 29, 2000
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 11, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

WUN RY China
sueEcT
Copper Shortage in Communist China
Document No. ------ _p Q .7______-
ro ghcngs In glass.
i:sclassif ed
a:s. Changed To: TS S C25X1X
25X1X
uth.: HR 70.2
DATE 1> !R.
31 JAN 52
NO. OF M ES 2
1. A vigorous program of copper conservation is being urged on all the various
i.strative regions, provinces, hsien, and municipalities by the Committee of
Linance and Economics of the Government Administrative Council.
2. The existing restrictions on the production, transportation, purchase and sale
of copper, which allocate fixed amounts to factories manufacturing electrical
equipment and prohibit general, merchants from dealing in copper, have not been
sufficient to prevent an increasing shortage of copper. Since it has been
iible to increase production rapidly, the major source of copper has been
the purchase and collection of used copper and brass utensils, coins, and scrap.
Also the demand for copper has increased as a result of expanding military
requirements.
The following measures, including some already in effect and some about to be
implemented, have been instituted by the Committee of Finance and Economics:
a. Increase of production in existing copper mines and rapid development of new
copper mines.1
b. Increase in imports of copper and articles manufactured from copper.2
.c. Inposition of rigid restrictions on the purchase, transportation, and sale
of used copper and brass utensils and scrap.
d. Increase in the price of copper and brass utensils to encourage the population
to sell those which they now have.
e. Intensify the program of copper conservation. All industries, except national
defense industries which will be allocated a supply of copper, must develop
substitutes and decrease the consumption of copper.]
1.11 Comnuni Continent. Most of the copper mines now worked by the Chinese
s are in Southeast China. The Tungch'uan (103-11, 26-26) Copper
Mine in Yunnan has reached a production of over 1000 tons and is expected
to produce 2,500 tons in 1952. This has been accomplished under the
supervision of Soviet mining expa$cts.
STATE
PH - -- I t
HUMP
 Approved For Release 2001/ I DP82-00457R0097002 YA-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
The Chinese Communists are planning to open mines in Sinkiang and
Sikang Provinces which are expected to produce large quantities of
copper. However, copper from these mines will not be available until
1953.
-o ---
Pally electrical equipment and munitions. They cannot expert
items in large quantities. Tierefore, copper imports will have
obtained from Western countries.
25X1X
The use of copper substitutes is already being
a number of :Lndustr es . Substjtutes have been developed
sow tem, such as bamboo for thermos bottle. coved cardboard
gbt , plastic, buttons for copper buttons on military
uniforzas$ and porcelain for the bases of electric light bulbs.
25X1A
est. Wit4 the exception of the military buttons, it
that the items listed above are seldom seen outside of
the large cities.
CCNPENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R009700250007-5