Combined Development Agency

The Combined Development Agency (CDA) was a defense purchasing authority established in 1948 by the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom. Its role was to ensure adequate supplies of uranium for the respective countries weapons development programmes.

The agency initiated a range of incentives to several countries to encourage exploration and a fast build up of mineral reserves. The main countries targeted for the programmes were the US, Canada, South Africa, and to a limited extent Australia.

In Australia, uranium ore from a number of mines was processed at the purpose built Port Pirie Uranium Treatment Complex which operated under contract to the CDA by the Government of South Australia between 1955 and 1962.