Monazite Sands and other Sources of Thoria

Abstract

THE apparent inconsistency between the statistics quoted by Dr. Pascoe and the statement to which he refers can be explained only by fuller reference to the contributions of the Imperial Institute to the development of the rare earth industry. It should be mentioned that in accordance with general usage, as, for example, in the annual article in “Mineral Industry”, monazite sand was used to cover other sources of thoria. In 1903–4 the present writer was endeavouring to secure an output for the monazite of another part of the Empire, but found it was impossible owing to the German monopoly. Shortly afterwards the discovery in Ceylon of thorite and thorianite, with more than 75 per cent, of thoria, and of a monazite which is unusually rich in thoria, first gave British manufacturers a commercially useful independent source of thoria. In 1906 a sudden rise in prices due to German manipulation led to more active search. English manufacturers, according to “Mineral Industry”, 1906, p. 586, “hitherto dependent upon German firms for their supplies, now have hopes that the discoveries of monazite and thorianite in Ceylon and the Transvaal will allow them to avail themselves of an opportunity to obtain an independent supply of raw material”.