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International minerals: problems and opportunities

Conference · · Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., Symp.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6685243
The need for nonfuel minerals is not as readily understood as the need for fuel minerals, but this lack of understanding leads to problems for society. It also provides opportunities to concentrate attention on better communication and information transfer. Despite its dependency on imports of many mineral commodities, the US is more self-sufficient than most other nations. Political factors and national desires to acquire capital by selling raw materials to the US and other developed countries now influence world mineral development. These combine with inter-country transportation and transport security and the increasing demands of developing countries for mineral supplies to define problems of availability. The author defines what makes a mineral strategic, differentiates between dependency and vulnerability, and reviews US policy for minerals self-sufficiency. He outlines opportunities for assessing resources, for conservation, and for knowledge sharing. 17 references.
Research Organization:
Oregon State Univ., Corvallis
OSTI ID:
6685243
Report Number(s):
CONF-820118-Vol.2
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., Symp.; (United States) Journal Volume: 90
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English