Page 25 - Introduction to Mineral Exploration

8 C.J. MOON & A.M. EVANS

TABLE 1.3 Percentage increase in
Aluminum 28 Cobalt 35 Copper 16 world production of some metals
Diatomite 29.1 Feldspar 81.5 Gold 8.8 and industrial minerals 1973–88;
Gypsum 37.6 Iron ore 12 Lead −5.5 metals are in italics. Recycled
Mica 18.9 Molybdenum 8.3 Nickel 16.8 metal production is not included.
Phosphate 42.5 PGM 80.8 Potash 39.1
Silver 13.9 Sulfur 19 Talc 44
Tantalum 143 Tin −9.8 Trona 44
Zinc 26

countries have attempted to exercise control tial for recycling some materials is much
over tin (ITC) and copper (CIPEC) in this way greater than for others. Contrary to metals the
but with little success and, at times, signal fail- potential for recycling industrial minerals is
ure (Crowson 2003). much lower. Aggregate recycling is currently
Stockpiles may also be built up by govern- being promoted within the European Union.
ments for strategic reasons and this, as men- Other commodities such as bromine, fluor-
tioned above, can push up prices markedly. compounds, industrial diamonds, iodine and
Stockpiling policies of some leading industrial- feldspar and silica in the form of glass are
ized nations are discussed by Morgan (1989). recyled but industrial mineral prices will be
An action that has increased consumption of less affected by this factor (Noetstaller 1988).
platinum, palladium, and rhodium has been
the adoption of regulations on the limitation of Substitution and new technology
car exhaust fumes by the EU countries. The These two factors may both lead to a diminu-
worldwide effort to diminish harmful exhaust tion in demand. We have already seen great
emissions resulted in a record industrial pur- changes such as the development of longer-
chase of 3.2 million ounces of platinum and 3.7 lasting car batteries that use less lead, substitu-
million ounces of palladium in 2003. Com- tion of copper and plastic for lead water pipes,
parable actions by governments stimulated by and a change to lead-free petrol; all factors that
environmental lobbies will no doubt occur in have contributed to a downturn in the demand
the coming years. for lead (Fig. 1.3). Decisions taken by OPEC in
1973 affected all metals (Figs 1.1–1.3). They led
Recycling to huge increases in the prices of oil and other
Recycling is already having a significant effect fuels, pushed demand towards materials hav-
on some product prices. Economic and particu- ing a low sensitivity to high energy costs, and
larly environmental considerations will lead to favored the use of lighter and less expensive
increased recycling of materials in the immedi- substitutes for metals (Cook 1987).
ate future. Recycling will prolong resource life In the past, base metal producers have spent
and reduce mining wastes and smelter efflu- vast sums of money on exploration, mine
ents. Partial immunity from price rises, short- development, and production, but have paid
ages of primary materials, or actions by cartels too little attention to the defence and develop-
will follow. A direct economic and environ- ment of markets for their products (Davies
mental bonus is that energy requirements for 1987, Anthony 1988). Producers of aluminum,
recycled materials are usually much lower plastics, and ceramics, on the other hand, have
than for treating ores, e.g. 80% less electricity promoted research for new uses including sub-
is needed for recycled aluminum. In the USA stitution for metals. Examples include tank
the use of ferrous scrap as a percentage of total armour, now frequently made of multilayer
iron consumption rose from 35% to 42% over composites (metal, ceramic, and fibers) and
the period 1977–87 and aluminum from 26% ceramic-based engine components, widely used
to 37%; but both copper and aluminum were in automobiles. It has been forecast that by
approximately 30% for the western world in 2030 90% of engines used in cars, aeroplanes,
1999 (Crowson 2003). Of course the poten- and power stations will be made from novel