had recently assumed responsibility for long-range research in this field
and was prepared to support investigations on chemical processes, geo—
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chemistry, and exploration to the extent of about $1.5 x 10°, distributed
about half in the National Laboratories, half in universities.
The aid
of laboratories like Battelle, Gulf, etc,, will also be sought if it
-- appears they can be of help.
Mr. Whitman remarked that besides willingness
. to. support, encouragement and stimulation would also be necessary.
It was
also remarked that raw materials reports should be more freely circulated,
and suggested that an informal conference between chemists from the
National Laboratories and persons familiar with raw materials wouldbe
desirable.
Mr. Pike pointed out that mineral geology is much less advanced than
oil geology, that theoretical bases for prospecting for mineralization in
igneous deposits are undeveloped.
were discussed.
Some recent proposals for prospecting
Mr. Murphree felt it wouldbe well to interest a number
of oil company laboratories, expert in geophysical methods, in these
problems by issuing small contracts.
With respect to plans for phosphate studies, Mr. Pike mentioned the
possibility of extracting uranium in the ordinary superphosphate process
as weil as in the triple superphosphate process,
He also said that the»
Florida overburden actually has a higher uranium content than the phosphate
beds, and that a bright idea is needed on how to get the uranium out
without complete acidulation,
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Other items mentioned in the discussion were the recently increased
domestic production, a contract held by the U.S. Geological Survey for
exploration and examination, and the recent policy of the AEC of encouraging ©
in all areas of research, contracts with possibilities of practical value.