Assaying Korea's Mineral Resources

The Republic of Korea has considerable mineral resources. There are rich deposits of gold, graphite and tungsten, as well as of coal; and there is enough lead, copper, bismuth and manganese to merit attention. There seems to be a reasonable prospect of developing mineral exports within a few years to the value of $40 million or $50 million a year. But the full extent of the country's mineral wealth has yet to be measured. The UN Korean Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA) has, therefore, built a mineral assay laboratory with the most modern equipment at Taejon, to test ore samples to assess the commercial value of the mines now in existence and make a proper evaluation of the new finds.
In some ore-processing operations, the laboratory staff uses this ceiling-high ""Humphrey Spiral"", the only one in Korea, for separating lighter from heavier elements (lightweight material flowing down the spiral channel is spun outward by centrifugal force, while heavier elements are collected in an inner track). Using the device are Roe Hai Yong (back to camera), acting director of the laboratory, and expert Chang Won Pyo. [1955]