Mineral Resources Report

As the importance and dependence of specific mineral commodities increase, so does concern about their supply. The United States is currently 100 percent reliant on foreign sources for 20 mineral commodities and imports the majority of its supply of more than 50 mineral commodities. Mineral commodities that have important uses and face potential supply disruption are critical to American economic and national security. However, a mineral commodity's importance and the nature of its supply chain can change with time; a mineral commodity that may not have been considered critical 25 years ago may be critical today, and one considered critical today may not be so in the future. The U.S. Geological Survey has produced this volume to describe a select group of mineral commodities currently critical to our economy and security. For each mineral commodity covered, the authors provide a comprehensive look at (1) the commodity's use; (2) the geology and global distribution of the mineral deposit types that account for the present and possible future supply of the commodity; (3) the current status of production, reserves, and resources in the United States and globally; and (4) environmental considerations related to the commodity's production from different types of mineral deposits. The volume describes U.S. critical mineral resources in a global context, for no country can be self-sufficient for all its mineral commodity needs, and the United States will always rely on global mineral commodity supply chains. This volume provides the scientific understanding of critical mineral resources required for informed decisionmaking by those responsible for ensuring that the United States has a secure and sustainable supply of mineral commodities.

Report and recommendations concerning world mineral resources, energy needs and environmental consequences, with particular reference to government policy implications for the USA - discusses supply and demand projections, problems of resources conservation, the role of technology and science, etc., and covers fossil fuels, copper, petroleum and other natural resources. Bibliography pp. 317 to 333, graphs, maps and statistical tables.

This analysis indicates that Kucho Creek and Klappan Coal are theprospects most likely to become viable mines towards the end ofthe 1980's or early in the 1990's. Stikine Copper is anotherinteresting prospect, however, there are a number of technicalproblems relating to access and working conditions which arelikely to delay development for a number of years. Schaft Creekappears to be a marginal prospect within the late 1980's or early1990's time frame but could reach production by the year 2000. Eaglehead is also a marginal prospect; under optimisticassumptions it will reach production prior to the year 2000. Sustut Copper is very marginal and only under very optimisticassumptions will it reach production by the year 2000. Finally, Letain Asbestos, Adanac Molybdenum and Red Chris Copper appearunlikely to reach production prior to the year 2000, even from avery optimistic perspective.