While optimistic on the whole about avoiding ultimate exhaustion of the world’s mineral resources, a British writer* discussing this subject gives the following table on the approximate time when world reserves of some metals will be exhausted:
These times arc based on consumption at present rates. While it is a fallacy to assume that the rate of consumption of metals will not continue to increase in the future as it has in the past, this estimate, even if only approximately correct, indicates immediate attention should be given to the non-ferrous metals with the shortest supply outlook. Less urgently, it also indicates that more attention should be paid to ferrous resources.
The remedy that offers the most positive hope of immediate improvement is the recycling of metals fabricated but no longer in use. A corrolary of this remedy is the need to protect them against corrosion so that they will...
