S. Africa's metallurgists face great challenges

Uranium could pose one of the greatest challenges to South African metallurgy in the coming years. South Africa has the advantage of a good supply of uranium which occur as a by-product of gold mining. Looking at ore reserves, in the case of most metals and minerals it is unlikely that many spectacular new large high-grade deposits will be found. What metallurgists would have to do is to concentrate on the development of techniques related to existing processes and others completely different, which would enable the treatment of low-grade mineral deposits. Southern Africa's mineral resources will continue to be exploited and in the absence of complete change throughout the area there will be an important place for South Africans properly trained and prepared to give all they can do to this continued development