Annual report of research progress

Abstract

The great importance of minerals to a state's sound economy can be no better illustrated than by the discovery of oil and gas in Alaska in 1957 in the Kenai Peninsula. This event has led to the establishment of local basic and secondary industries which in turn will enrich the coffers of the state. In a parallel manner, the discovery of oil and gas on the North Slope in 1968 will not only produce basic and allied industries but will also be a catalyst assisting the development of other mineral resources to provide a diversification of industry--so important to the long range economic strength of a state. Also, further economic development of mineral resources is, to a large degree, dependent on mineral science research in the same way that research and development were necessary to develop the jet engine and hence, give a break-through in air transportation; thus, without geological and mineral processing research, mines cannot continue to be found and developed. The following pages will provide evidence of a significant contribution toward the shortening of the knowledge gap in mineral search instrumentation, gold size distribution, coal processing, prospector education, resource evaluation, and exploration oriented computer techniques. The demand by the Alaskan public, industry, and governmental agencies for this information has justified the reprinting of several of this year's research reports. This response by industry and the public has given increased impetus to the goal of MIRL: to aid in the expansion of Alaska's mineral economy through a program of applied and basic research--to seek knowledge today for use tomorrow. Earl H. Beistline, Dean, CESMI