AUTOMOBILE JUNKYARDS 415 



from low-grade ore and tailings, technically described as the cemen- 

 tation of copper from leach solutions. 



In view of the growth of such copper leaching operations, it seems 

 possible that the entire supply of auto scrap within several hundred 

 miles of a leaching plant could be consumed in this type of 

 application. 



In still another investigation, melted auto scrap would be treated 

 with selected additives to make it suitable for use in foundries. 



Among the other investigations which we are contemplating, are 

 the feasibility of producing mild steel from scrap by electric f urnacing 

 practices, and research on chemical processes by which impurities 

 might be economically removed from auto scrap, thus suiting it for 

 still other uses. 



The results of this work will, of course, be made immediately 

 available to the steel industry and the scrap producers. 



Secretary of the Interior Udall has directed the scientific and 

 technical personnel of the department to cooperate fully with those 

 industries in the application of new processes or the improvement of 

 traditional practices that promise any improvement in the scrap use 

 cycle. 



However, a substantial improvement in the scrap use cycle will not, 

 in itself, eliminate all unsightly aspects of the junk disposal sequence. 



As shown by the excellent studies completed by such groups as the 

 Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel, a variety of incentives has been 

 suggested that might more effectively accommodate automobile dis- 

 posal processes to our environment. 



Moreover, it would be naive to assume that changes in technology 

 will not create even greater and certainly different disposal problems 

 in the future. 



During the next few months we propose to look into the incentives 

 that might prove most effective, in the long-term, in minimizing the 

 blight, while insuring an effective disposal process. 



This will be done in close cooperation with the other agencies of 

 the government and with the appropriate scrap, steel and transpor- 

 tation industries. 



We intend also to strengthen our efforts to relate immediate or 

 foreseeable changes in the nature of available scrap, and in scrap- 

 consuming practices, to the ultimate disposal processes. 



In conclusion, we believe it must be recognized that, while the 

 Federal Government has an obligation to assume leadership in seek- 



