An Outlook on Supply-demand of Metals for A. D. 2000

Abstract

A forecast of the supply-demand of metals for A. D. 2000 was attempted based on economic aspects, geochemical aspects and technical feasibility. Reserves (or reserve base), production and rate of growth are fundamental factors in the calculation of the lifetime of metals. These statistics were referred to the published data of the United States Bureau of Mines, and a static index for 2000 was calculated using these data. Resources which ecompass potentially exploitable mineral commodities substitutes are also an important factor, especially in the case of the reserve which is not sufficient to meet the world demand in the future. The above mentioned items of each metal are expressed in Table 1 in order of crustal abundance.