North Carolina State University, Minerals Research Laboratory Records 1945-1994, 2009-2023

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Creator
North Carolina State University. Minerals Research Laboratory
Size
1.25 linear feet (2 archival boxes, 1 archival half box); 1 website
Call number
UA 105.032

This collection contains reports, committee records, proposals, brochures, and correspondence pertaining to the operation of the minerals engineering program and research laboratory in Asheville, North Carolina. Of special interest is a contract between the Minerals Research Laboratory and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The Minerals Research Laboratory (MRL), located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a part of the North Carolina State University's College of Engineering. The main focus of MRL's research is the beneficiation of industrial minerals. MRL's experience in industrial minerals is unmatched by any university laboratory in the United States. This laboratory is unique in the sense that it exemplifies the much sought after partnership between industry, government and academia in conducting effective research. Most of MRL's research efforts are conducted for corporate sponsors. Public service projects are also undertaken. MRL's state-of-the-art facility is equipped with mineral processing equipment and an analytical support facility for mineral characterization. As part of a Land Grant Institution, technical assistance and service to the public is also part of the MRL mission. MRL has worked towards relating its purpose and activities to the general public by establishing an educational outreach program known as 'Down to Earth.' MRL also sponsors professional seminars at its facilities in Asheville. These seminars count toward continuing professional competency requirements for Professional Engineers. The MRL library contains one of the best reference sources for mineral processing information in the southeastern United States and is available for public use.

Biographical/historical note

The Minerals Research Laboratory (MRL), located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a part of the North Carolina State University's College of Engineering. The main focus of MRL's research is the beneficiation of industrial minerals. MRL's experience in industrial minerals is unmatched by any university laboratory in the United States. This laboratory is unique in the sense that it exemplifies the much sought after partnership between industry, government and academia in conducting effective research. Most of MRL's research efforts are conducted for corporate sponsors. Public service projects are also undertaken. MRL's state-of-the-art facility is equipped with mineral processing equipment and an analytical support facility for mineral characterization.

As part of a land grant Institution, technical assistance and service to the public is also part of the MRL mission. MRL has worked towards relating its purpose and activities to the general public by establishing an educational outreach program known as 'Down to Earth.' MRL also sponsors professional seminars at its facilities in Asheville. These seminars count toward continuing professional competency requirements for Professional Engineers. The MRL library contains one of the best reference sources for mineral processing information in the southeastern United States and is available for public use.

The Minerals Research Laboratory started operations in July 1946, under a joint venture between North Carolina State College and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The city of Asheville donated the land where the building is located. The laboratory operated under the cooperative State/TVA arrangement until 1954, when the MRL was placed entirely under the Department of Engineering Research at North Carolina State College. Today it remains a part of NC State University.

MRL was established to assist in the development of North Carolina's mineral resources through research and development. Research concentrated on industrial (nonmetallic and nonfuel) minerals found in North Carolina and was mostly state funded. Gradually most of the research has shifted from state funded projects to individual corporate sponsorship from all over the world. MRL's research activities have greatly contributed toward increasing the value of North Carolina's mineral wealth.

Scope/content

The collection contains reports, committee records, proposals, brochures, and correspondence pertaining to operation of the minerals engineering program and research laboratory in Asheville, North Carolina. Of special interest is a contract between the Minerals Research Laboratory and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Arrangement

Contents are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Minerals Research Laboratory Records, UA 105.032, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Related material

Source of acquisition

Transferred from the Minerals Research Laboratory

Processing information

Processed by Special Collections Staff

Encoded by Steven Mandeville-Gamble, 2005 December

Web content processed and finding aid updated by Gevorg Vardanyan, 2023 June

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
American Ceramic Society, Southeastern Section 1966
Box 1
Brochures 1985, undated
Box 1
Committees, Advisory Meetings 1963-1972
Box 1
Committees, Advisory Meetings 1973-1988
Box 1
Reports 1958-1966
Box 1
General Correspondence 1968-1973
Box 1
Historical 1970-1972
Box 1
John M. Parker's files on the Minerals Research Laboratory 1959-1985 (Accession 2013.0028)
Half box 3, Folder 1
Minerals Engineering Program 1977
Box 1
Minerals Research Laboratory: A Brief History 1970 Jan. 27 (Accession 2013.0028)
Half box 3, Folder 2
Position Announcements 1985-1994
Box 1
Programs: Mineral Exploration within the Ordovician Volcanic Arc 1966
Box 1
Progress Reports August, 1963
Box 1
Progress Reports December, 1963
Box 1
Progress Reports 1964
Box 2
Progress Reports 1965
Box 2
Publications List 1971-1981
Box 2
Tennessee Valley Authority, Contract 1945-1950
Box 2
Minerals Research Laboratory website (https://mrl.ies.ncsu.edu/) 2009-2023
Size: 1 website

This is the official website of Minerals Research Laboratory at NC State University. The NC State University Libraries has scheduled this website to be captured semiannually since August 2016. Also included here are prior captures by the Internet Archive dating back to June 2009.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Minerals Research Laboratory Records, UA 105.032, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.