Substitution of scarce non-ferrous metals

In view of shortage or total absence of deposits of certain strategic non-ferrous minerals in India and availability of adequate to abundant resources of aluminium, manganese and chromium etc. various measures are considered in the paper aiming at detailed assessment of natural resources of the scarce but strategic non-ferrous minerals, suitable checks to ensure their use for essential requirements, judicious utilisation of known substitute metal and alloys, stepping up research and development work on substitute alloys for specific applications, steps for collection and utilisation of grade scrap, secondary refining of metals and alloys etc. In addition, possible substitutes of copper, lead, tin, zinc and nickel have been suggested. The research and development themes aimed at substitution of the scarce non-ferrous metals in progress at the National Metallurgical Laboratory have been briefly described in the paper. The speedy fulfilment of the production plans for copper, zinc and aluminium has been emphasised to meet the essential requirements of zinc and copper and growing requirements of aluminium as a substitute in many applications. (Dr. T. Banerjee, Scientist-in-Charge, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur)