NORWAY’S METALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 122, 22 April 1940, Page 7

NORWAY’S METALS.

NO GERMAN ADVANTAGE. (British Official Wireless.; RUGBY, April 20. “Contrary to the general impression. Norway is not particularly rich in metallic minerals,' 1 says the Economist, in discussing the possible German gains in the way of metals by establishing control in Norway. “With no coke resources to warrant the foundation of a large-scale iron and steel industry, Norway must export her ore, and she is only a minor producer and shipper of pig iron and steel. On the other hand, Norway is an important producer of refined nonferrous metals such as copper, zinc, aluminium and nickel. Of these Britain has alternative sources of supply. But as. Norway has to import most of her ore, Germany would gain little, even if she succeeded in seizing the smelters and refiners south of Trondheim. “In the case of zinc Norway imports about nine times as much ore. as she produces, and in the case of nickel ore the vast bulk of the primary material is- imported from Canada. The considerable Norwegian production of aluminium is entirely based on bauxite supplies from abroad, and Germany cannot get enough bauxite for her own works. Without the necessary foreign supplies of chrome ore, manganese ore or wolfram. Norway’s production of the typical ferro-alloys used in steel-making must fall to zero, for Germany cannot fill the gap. “In short, while the loss of the iron ore imports from Narvik may he decisive for " Germany, her temporary control of Norway’s metal industries south of Trondheim would not assist the war effort to any significant extent or cripple Britain’s.”