Preface
Since the early 1970s, the availability of nonrenewable mineral resources over the long run—a period spanning the coming centuries—has intrigued me. In part, this interest reflects the importance of mineral resources to human welfare. Without adequate supplies of oil, natural gas, coal, steel, aluminum, zinc, phosphate rock, and other mineral commodities, modern civilization as we know it is difficult to imagine. Many consider resource availability one of the major challenges facing humanity, along with nuclear war, population growth, and environmental preservation. Of course, these vital issues shaping the future of humankind and the rest of the world as well are not independent.
In addition, I find the topic fascinating because the ...
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