Publisher's Synopsis
A jargon-free, accessible assessment of a complex, possibly dire problem, plus a prudent plan for the future. Defining the vital role that minerals play in the U.S. economy, the book discusses problems faced by the United States and other mineral- producing countries in procuring adequate supplies, and the social and political factors that influence the availability of energy minerals and mineral raw materials.;The book also describes the nature of the mineral industry, the problems of discovering mineral deposits and extracting useful substances from them, and the variety, scale, and use of minerals as sources of energy and raw materials for industry.
