| The French Government had interceded in behalf of the owners of the
surface rights of the mine property and steps were taken by the Montbelleux
management to indemnify these owners for the use of their property. Brandt's
concession covered only the underground rights. The following correspondence
between the Krupp firm and the Montbelleux management is worthy of note
(NIK-8068, Pros. Ex. 729): |
| |
“We acknowledge the receipt
of your above mentioned letter and agree with the way in which you are
proceeding in this matter. However, we attach great importance to the fact that
the firm of Krupp be completely left out in the negotiations with the owners,
as well as when making payments to them. Therefore, everything pertaining to
this matter must be done in the name of the Organization
Todt.” |
| The management replied (NIK-8066, Pros. Ex. 731)
- |
| |
“We have taken note of the
above communication and shall conduct all negotiations in accordance with your
directives as it has been our practice so far.” |
| Meantime the Krupp firm put the mine into operation. Necessary
equipment and lumber for mine props were obtained by the Todt Organization from
the local French economy. In the report of the Main Administration for Ore
Mining appears the following (NIK-12908, Pros. Ex. 637):
|
| |
“An estimate of 50-60 tons
of WO3 is made for the ore found immediately
after the draining of the mine. According to the plans made with the interested
Reich offices (Reichsstellen), for the time being a daily output of 50 tons of
raw ore was intended. An ore dressing plant built for an output of this volume,
delivered by the Krupp-Grusonwerk, was installed in the meantime and put in
operation in September 1943. A production of 5-7 tons of concentrates per month
is expected from this plant after the initial period of getting operation
started |
| * * * * * |
“In the business year in all
over 3,000 meters of mine installations (shafts, galleries, tram-ways, overhead
structure) were drained or newly built. The mining of the ore was commenced at
the beginning of July. Since then about 1,800 tons of raw ore were turned out,
most of which was placed on the ore dump, since the new ore dressing plant
could not start regular operations until the end of September. In addition to a
certain amount of concentrates which could be picked out in the mine itself by
hand methods, one-half ton of bruddle concentrates was produced in the year of
the report. In October 1043, how- […ever] |
. 
