Aims of the Section To introduce the subject of mineral deposits, which is mainly concerned with metal resources, we outline some reasons for the importance of metals in technological society. There is a range of factors that must be considered in order to achieve the efficient extraction of metals from mineral deposits. Because of the massive nature of mineral exploitation, the mining industry and the range of concepts and methods associated with it have evolved rapidly, and we summarize trends that have developed. Most of the content of this Section are returned to and closely examined later in the Block. You should find that this Section given you a broad appreciation of the framework within which mining is viewed, both from within the industry and outside it. Objectives 1-7 are associated with this Section. Study comment If you have not already done so ,you may find it helpful and interesting to read Chapter 2 to The Limits to Growth,* particularly pp. 54-69, in parallel with this Section. Pay particular attention to Table 4 in this chapter. While energy resources provide the driving force behind technological man's industry, the minerals considered in this Block provide the material (metals, inorganic chemical, fertilizer, etc) which energy can extract, mould into useful things and in many cases drive. While nothing can be accomplished without energy, large supplies of energy are of little consequence without mineral consuming machines and processes. Like most energy resources currently in use, the most disconcerting feature of minerals is their exhaustibility they are nonrenewable.

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