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Mineral Resources and Sustainability Challenges for Earth Scientists (1996) / Chapter Skim
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3 DEPLETION OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Pages 7-12

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 7...
... Predictive models for massive sulfide deposits, for example, allow targeting of completely buried deposits by using the combination of structural projections and favorable stratigraphic horizons in volcanic rocks. 2Reserves are minerals that are known to exist and can be produced at a profit with current technology under prevailing economic conditions.
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From page 8...
... Technological improvements in mining and mineral processing reduce costs and permit profitable mineral production from previously uneconomic, mineralized rock. Minerals can be extracted from rock that otherwise would either remain in the ground or in waste piles and tailings.
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From page 9...
... Old scrap recovery represents metal recovered from discarded and obsolete products that have reached the end of their useful lives.
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From page 10...
... Challenges Concerning Depletion Challenge #I: To develop a better scientific basisfor discussions of the adequacy of mineral resources. An important need is to develop a better methodology for characterizing submarginal mineral resources i.e., those that are not exploitable uncler current economic conditions with known technologies, but which could become economically feasible under different conditions.
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From page 11...
... The sustainability debate challenges earth scientists to communicate more clearly with policymakers and the public. Mineral reserves represent only a small portion of the mineral wealth of the earth's crust.
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Key Terms

  • existing mines
  • mineral production
  • economic conditions
  • resource depletion
  • reserves represent

  • technological improvements
  • earth scientists
  • discovery rates
  • mineral reserves
  • mineral deposits

  • mineral processing
  • previously uneconomic
  • exploration increase
  • resources remaining
  • finite amount

  • transmission power
  • offset reductions
  • total copper
  • development lead
  • continually replenished

  • distinct ranges
  • product accounts
  • challenges earth
  • distance transmission
  • discovery rate

  • scrap recovery
  • influence discovery
  • recovery represents
  • incorporate resource
  • allow targeting


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