838 MINERALS YEARBOOK 1985 
 
the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct ioy Industry Survive?," released
by the a study to determine what impact the loss of Congressional Research
Service of the Liall domestic ferroalloy production capacity brary of Congress
examined key changes in would have on the U.S. industrial base and the structure
of the U.S. ferroalloys indusmilitary preparedness, try since the early 1970's.
The report foSenate bill 1533 National Security Trade cused on the changing
competitive posture 
Act of 1985, was introduced in the U.S. of domestic producers of ferrosilicon,
among Senate on July 31 to amend section 232 of others. 
the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. Final re- On July 8, the President approved
Nasponsibility for decisions on trade relief tional Security Council (NSC)
recommenda cases and setting time limits would rest tions for modernizing
the strategic and with the U.S. Trade Representative. On critical materials
stockpile. Under the NSC October 9, Senate bill 1753 was introduced proposal,
the stockpile would be structured in the U S Senate to amend title II of
the into two tiers Tier I would contain materi Trade Act of 1974, adoption
of which would als required by military, industrial, and eliminate the discretionary
power of the essential civilian users during a military President to grant
import relief The admm conflict which would not be available from istration
outlined a strike force consisting domestic or reliable foreign sources Tier
II of six high-level administration officials would contain a supplemental
rOsOrve of that would monitor other countries export material already possessed
by the Govern barriers to U.S. goods and unfair subsidies ment. The status
of silicon Carbide was of foreign goods that compete in the U S deferred
until further detailed studies could market. The administration also announced
be made. At yearend, this proposal was an agreement by Frahce, the Federal
Re- under consideration by the Congress. The public of Germany Japan the
United King Department of Defense Authorization Act dom and the United States
on a joint action 1986 (Public Law 99 145) signed by the to weaken the U
S dollar in an attempt to President on November 8 1985 stated that slow the
protectionist pressures on Congress no action may be taken beforC~October
1, to curb imports and to promote U.S. ex- 1986, to implement or administer
any reports. duction in a stockpile goal in effect on 
 A report entitled "Can the U.S. Ferroal- October 1, 1984. 
 
 
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION 
 
 Production and shipments of silicon fer- Alloys Inc., Niagara Falls, NY,
effective roalloys and silicon metal overall showed January 3, 1986. As compensation,
Foote significant decreases in 1985, compared will participate in the profits
generated by with those of 1984, following comparable SKW Alloys in the manufacture
and sales declines in the iron and steel and aluminum of the product lines
over the next 6 years. industries. The 56% to 95% ferrosilicon As a result
of this transaction, Foote closed range declined the most. Both production
its Graham, WV, ferroalloys plant on Deand shipments declined by about 30%.
Mag- cember 31, 1985. In February 1985, Ohio nesium ferrosilicon accounts
for the major Ferro-Alloys Corp. (OFA), Dayton, OH, portion of the miscellaneous
silicon alloys closed its Powhatan Point silicon metal category, the remainder
in this class being plant for the balance of the year. The calcium-silicon,
silicon-manganese-zirconi- company subsequently concentrated all of um, and
rare-earth suicides. Data for sil- its silicon metal production in its Montgomvery
pig iron are withheld because there ery, AL, facility. OFA's third plant
in Philo, was only one producer. OH, which produced ferrosilicon, had been

 Producer stocks of 25% to 55% ferrosili- shut down in September 1984. The
company con increased by about two-thirds, while also secured a 5-year agreement
to sell those of 56% to 95% ferrosilicon showed a silicon metal to General
Electric Co.'s (GE) decrease of about 15%. Stocks of miscella- Silicones
Product Div. and concluded a $3 neous silicon alloys were relatively un-
million loan agreement with GE's Credit changed. Corp. The Bonneville Power
Administration 
 Foote Mineral Co., Exton, PA, announced approved M. A. Hanna Co.'s request
for a 5in September plans to sell its specialty year extension of its current
offpeak power products lines including proprietary tech- rate for Hanna's
smelter at Riddle, OR. nology, trade names, and patents to SKW Additionally,
a new 5-year labor contract