DEAD SEA EXPLOITED

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 12

DEAD SEA EXPLOITED

PALESTINE AND ITS POTASH RESOURCES. Tenders have been invited ffi’ the Palestine Government for the exploitation of the mineral resources of tho Dead Sea (says the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’). One of the greatest mineral assets of Palestine is the salt of the Dead Sea. The average percentage of salts tho strong brine is at least 25 per cent., of which 34 per cent, is sodium chloride, ■ 4 per cent, to 7 per cent, potassium ! chloride, and np to 1 per cent, or more ..magnesium bromide. The volume of '"the Dead Rea is somewhere iu the - region of 120,000,000,000 cubic metres; hence the area contains rounffily 30,000,000,000 tons of mixed salts, of which possibly 1,500,000,000 tons are , potassium chloride. Palestine is thus the richest country in tho world for potash resources. These also occur under the most favorable conditions. An examination has been made of Dead Sea brine, with special reference to the economical processes of nrqducing potash salts. A detailed survey has also been made of the Dead Sen potash resources, accompanied experimental work in small salt pans of tbo ocean type. A preliminary examination lias been completed of phosphate deposits and bituminous limestone; experiment showing the possibility of producing quicklime from the fuel content of the latter, and usi"- the residue as a source of fuel. Also an expert committee, meeting in Loudon, has been examining questions relating to the utilisation of the vast sutmlics of potash that exist in the Dead Sea.