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Show AEC Official Says More U-Ore In South Dakota CUSTER. S. D. An Atomic Energy Commission official reports that "at this stage of uranium mining in the Black Kills only the surface is being scratched." John W. King, chief of the Hot Springs sub-office of the AEC, re-ported on uranium activities in the state to the National Resources Commission. King said no mining Is being done in the Black mils more than 75 feet below the surface. "Ore should theoretically exist in bodies at least as large and as rich at 200 to 500 feet in depth as it does near the surface, he said. "AEC drilling has indicated that this is so, so far as grade is concerned. The large bodies have not yet been found at depth, but it is believed that refinement of ore-finding techniques will result in their discovery in the not too distant future." King said be was unable to comment on when the AEC might construct a processing plant for uranium ore in the Black Hills. He said, however, that the proposal was under "active consideration." King told the Resources Commission extensive testing U being carried on by the AEC and U. S. Bureau of Mines to determine the feasibility of extracting uranium from uranifcrous lignites in northwestern South Dakota. "Decisions regarding purchase and disposition of the ore cannot be made until the success-lul completion of these studies." |