Critical Mineral Resources of the United States
Critical Mineral Resources of the United States

Author: K. J. Schulz

Publisher: Geological Survey

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 868

ISBN-13: 9781411339910

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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.

Evolutionary and Revolutionary Technologies for Mining
Evolutionary and Revolutionary Technologies for Mining

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2002-03-14

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 0309169836

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The Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) of the U. S. Department of Energy commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to undertake a study on required technologies for the Mining Industries of the Future Program to complement information provided to the program by the National Mining Association. Subsequently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also became a sponsor of this study, and the Statement of Task was expanded to include health and safety. The overall objectives of this study are: (a) to review available information on the U.S. mining industry; (b) to identify critical research and development needs related to the exploration, mining, and processing of coal, minerals, and metals; and (c) to examine the federal contribution to research and development in mining processes.

Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy
Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2008-03-11

Total Pages: 263

ISBN-13: 0309112826

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Minerals are part of virtually every product we use. Common examples include copper used in electrical wiring and titanium used to make airplane frames and paint pigments. The Information Age has ushered in a number of new mineral uses in a number of products including cell phones (e.g., tantalum) and liquid crystal displays (e.g., indium). For some minerals, such as the platinum group metals used to make cataytic converters in cars, there is no substitute. If the supply of any given mineral were to become restricted, consumers and sectors of the U.S. economy could be significantly affected. Risks to minerals supplies can include a sudden increase in demand or the possibility that natural ores can be exhausted or become too difficult to extract. Minerals are more vulnerable to supply restrictions if they come from a limited number of mines, mining companies, or nations. Baseline information on minerals is currently collected at the federal level, but no established methodology has existed to identify potentially critical minerals. This book develops such a methodology and suggests an enhanced federal initiative to collect and analyze the additional data needed to support this type of tool.

Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands
Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1999-11-03

Total Pages: 259

ISBN-13: 0309172667

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This book, the result of a congressionally mandated study, examines the adequacy of the regulatory framework for mining of hardrock mineralsâ€"such as gold, silver, copper, and uraniumâ€"on over 350 million acres of federal lands in the western United States. These lands are managed by two agenciesâ€"the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior, and the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture. The committee concludes that the complex network of state and federal laws that regulate hardrock mining on federal lands is generally effective in providing environmental protection, but improvements are needed in the way the laws are implemented and some regulatory gaps need to be addressed. The book makes specific recommendations for improvement, including: The development of an enhanced information management system and a more efficient process to review new mining proposals and issue permits. Changes to regulations that would require all mining operations, other than "casual use" activities that negligibly disturb the environment, to provide financial assurances for eventual site cleanup. Changes to regulations that would require all mining and milling operations (other than casual use) to submit operating plans in advance.

Statistical Evaluations in Exploration for Mineral Deposits
Statistical Evaluations in Exploration for Mineral Deposits

Author: Friedrich-Wilhelm Wellmer

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 388

ISBN-13: 3642602622

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Statistical evaluations of exploration data are the basis for decisions to be made at various stages of an exploration project. In contrast to other geostatistical books, Statistical Evaluations in Exploration for Mineral Deposits focuses not only on theory, but examples are also given, frequently originating from experience in mineral exploration by the author who worked worldwide for a mining company. Together with its companion volume, Economic Evaluations in Exploration, the book illustrates methods used in exploration campaigns and mining activities. It is intended as a vademecum for geologists who are forced to make quick decisions regarding an exploration project. It also addresses scientists and students involved in teaching or in mineral economic evaluations, recommendations or decisions.

Statistical Methods for Mineral Engineers -
Statistical Methods for Mineral Engineers -

Author: Tim Napier-Munn

Publisher:

Published: 2014-10-01

Total Pages: 627

ISBN-13: 9780980362244

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Written by a mineral engineer for mineral engineers, and packed with real world examples, this book de-mystifies the statistics that most of us learned at university and then forgot. It shows how simple statistical methods, most of them available in Excel, can be used to make good decisions in the face of experimental uncertainty. Written in accessible language, it explains how experimental uncertainty arises from the normal measurement errors and how statistics provides a powerful methodology to manage that uncertainty. It assumes only that the readers are numerate, can use Excel, and want to do a better professional job. It is aimed squarely at mineral engineers and allied professionals (such as chemists) on the mine site, in head office, in engineering and supply companies and in universities. Most of the examples are illustrated in Excel but Minitab is also used for advanced techniques. The book includes over 100 Excel and Minitab hints. Example spreadsheets can be downloaded from the JKMRC and JKTech websites.