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The mineral resources potential of the earth
International Journal of Mineral Processing, 7 (1981) 371--372
371
Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands Book Renew The Mineral Resources Potential o f the Earth. Proceedings of the Second
International Symposium held in Hannover, Germany, at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Mineral Resources, 18--20th April 1979. F. Bender (Editor), E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1980, 156 pp., DM 54.00 (paperback). This book is not, as the title may imply to some readers, a scientific treatise on the physical stocks of world mineral resources. Rather, it is a collection of papers dealing with practical problems in the availability of mineral commodities to, and the procurement of mineral commodities by, industrial nations in the post-OPEC era. While natural occurrence and mineral technology have their place in this perspective, emphasis is given to the economic, legal, and political aspects of mineral supply. Twelve papers are presented in four sections, relating respectively to mineral resource policies, mineral supply and industrial requirements, mineral resource economics, and mining law. Although the list of contributors is international, the subject is treated largely from a West German standpoint. Far from being a disadvantage, this focus provides a fascinating and detailed insight into the Federal Republic's concerted government-industry approach to the acquisition of raw materials. A coordinated program has not always existed. Germany consumes about 10% of world o u t p u t of raw materials, and all is imported except for coal. Nevertheless, there was apparently no national raw materials strategy until after the events of October 1973. In past decades German industry depended on the spontaneous operation of world markets to supply materials. Now, however, it is clear that the German mining executive perceives his mission as that of keeping German industries supplied with raw materials. For its part, the federal government provides extensive assistance to industry in securing supplies of minerals. The programs include selective stockpiling, grants of money for foreign exploration, tax relief for companies engaged in foreign mining, government guarantees for investments and service contracts, protection against political risk, and finally, provision of both debt and equity capital through the German Development Corporation. In addition, the domestic coal mining industry receives direct subsidies to preserve a certain level of operation for reasons of national security. Several papers describe these joint government-industry measures in detail, and the editor's summary paper compares them with those of Japan, France, and the U.S.A. The book's physical presentation is less impressive than its content. Perhaps as a result of translation, errors in usage, spelling and typography abound. Illustrations and tables vary greatly in format. The quality of typesetting is inconsistent, creating additional distractions for the reader. In spite of these minor problems, the volume will be of direct interest to
372
public and private officials concerned with raw materials procurement in resource-deficient industrialized countries. In addition, however, it will be found valuable by government officials, mining company executives, and mineral professionals of supplier countries. These, whether in the developing world or in resource-exporting industrial states such as Australia and Canada, can gain a useful appreciation of their customers' policies and perceptions. C.G. MILLER (Kingston, Ont.)
371
Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands Book Renew The Mineral Resources Potential o f the Earth. Proceedings of the Second
International Symposium held in Hannover, Germany, at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Mineral Resources, 18--20th April 1979. F. Bender (Editor), E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1980, 156 pp., DM 54.00 (paperback). This book is not, as the title may imply to some readers, a scientific treatise on the physical stocks of world mineral resources. Rather, it is a collection of papers dealing with practical problems in the availability of mineral commodities to, and the procurement of mineral commodities by, industrial nations in the post-OPEC era. While natural occurrence and mineral technology have their place in this perspective, emphasis is given to the economic, legal, and political aspects of mineral supply. Twelve papers are presented in four sections, relating respectively to mineral resource policies, mineral supply and industrial requirements, mineral resource economics, and mining law. Although the list of contributors is international, the subject is treated largely from a West German standpoint. Far from being a disadvantage, this focus provides a fascinating and detailed insight into the Federal Republic's concerted government-industry approach to the acquisition of raw materials. A coordinated program has not always existed. Germany consumes about 10% of world o u t p u t of raw materials, and all is imported except for coal. Nevertheless, there was apparently no national raw materials strategy until after the events of October 1973. In past decades German industry depended on the spontaneous operation of world markets to supply materials. Now, however, it is clear that the German mining executive perceives his mission as that of keeping German industries supplied with raw materials. For its part, the federal government provides extensive assistance to industry in securing supplies of minerals. The programs include selective stockpiling, grants of money for foreign exploration, tax relief for companies engaged in foreign mining, government guarantees for investments and service contracts, protection against political risk, and finally, provision of both debt and equity capital through the German Development Corporation. In addition, the domestic coal mining industry receives direct subsidies to preserve a certain level of operation for reasons of national security. Several papers describe these joint government-industry measures in detail, and the editor's summary paper compares them with those of Japan, France, and the U.S.A. The book's physical presentation is less impressive than its content. Perhaps as a result of translation, errors in usage, spelling and typography abound. Illustrations and tables vary greatly in format. The quality of typesetting is inconsistent, creating additional distractions for the reader. In spite of these minor problems, the volume will be of direct interest to
372
public and private officials concerned with raw materials procurement in resource-deficient industrialized countries. In addition, however, it will be found valuable by government officials, mining company executives, and mineral professionals of supplier countries. These, whether in the developing world or in resource-exporting industrial states such as Australia and Canada, can gain a useful appreciation of their customers' policies and perceptions. C.G. MILLER (Kingston, Ont.)