Montana Oil And Mining Journal

Utilization of Titanium New Goal
For Mining Industry of Montana

HELENA—Development and use of a relatively unknown metal titanium—is cited to Montana mining men as a bright possibility in achieving better utilization of the state's resources in the post-war industrial pattern.

Dr. R. S. Dean, assistant director of the U. S. bureau of mines, told members of the Last Chance Gulch Mining association in session here that the metal is under study by bureau metallurgists and that it apparently will prove valuable as a light metal for use in airplane construction.

Titanium, he added, is the monkey wrench in the machinery which prevents Montana iron ore from being used. Although iron ore is found in abundance throughout the state, the presence of titanium in the ore makes it unsuitable for standard blast furnaces.

"To achieve full utilization of Montana's resources, in competition with an international mining industry, the development of such new industries is necessary," Dean said.

"If we are to have a healthy mineral industry, we must consider a postwar pattern which takes advantage of the resources of all regions. We must make new use of some hitherto unused resources and convince manufacturers of the importance of changing their pattern to utilize these products."

Whether we agree or not, it seems that this country already is committed to competing internationally in many industries.

He cited Montana chromium as another example of possible development, if enough attention is centered on the perfection of a process for production. Although this Montana ore cannot be used in standard ferro-chrome furnaces, it can be effectively utilized by the electrolytic process, he said. Chromium ore was produced in the Columbus area of southern Montana until the re-opening of the Mediterranean resulted in a shutdown last fall.