Competitiveness of the U.S. minerals and metals industry / Committee on Competitiveness of the Minerals and Metals Industry, National Materials Advisory Board, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Competitiveness of the Minerals and Metals Industry.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mineral industries--United States.

Mineral industries.

Metal trade--United States.

Metal trade.

Competition, International.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xviii, 140 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. ; [Great Britain] : National Academy Press, 1990.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book includes an assessment of the global minerals and metals industry; a review of technologies in use for exploration, mining, minerals processing, and metals extraction; and a look at research priorities. The core of the volume is a series of specific recommendations for government, industry, and the academic community, to promote partnerships that will produce a strong flow of new technologies. Special focus is given to the role of the federal government, particularly the Bureau of Mines.

Contents:

Competitiveness of the U.S. Minerals and Metals Industry

Copyright

Abstract

Preface

Acknowledgments

Contents

Executive Summary

TECHNOLOGY AND COMPETITIVENESS

Industry

Academe

Government

Bureau of Mines

Government-Academic-Industrial Cooperation

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1 U.S. Minerals and Metals Industry in a Changing Global Context

WORLD MINERALS AND METALS INDUSTRY

Globalization of Production and Ownership

Changing Patterns of Supply and Demand

Changing Corporate Structure of the Industry

TRENDS IN THE U.S. INDUSTRY

REVIVAL OF THE MINERALS AND METALS INDUSTRY

Factors Leading to the Recovery

Effects of the Recovery

Outlook for the Industry

REFERENCES

2 Supply, Demand, and Competitiveness

OVERVIEW OF THE MINERALS AND METALS INDUSTRY

TRENDS IN MINERAL AND METAL PRODUCTION

Aluminum

Steel

Base Metals

Copper

Lead

Zinc

TRENDS IN METALS DEMAND

Current Status of Materials Demand

Near-Term Trends in Materials Consumption

Trends in Industry Use of Materials

COMPETITIVENESS OF THE U.S. INDUSTRY

Shifts in U.S. Competitiveness

General Trends

Competitiveness by Sector

Comparative Advantages and Disadvantages of the U.S. Industry

Technology and U.S. Comparative Advantage

Data Analysis for Materials Planning

3 Role of Science and Technology in Minerals and Metals Competitiveness Issues

BACKGROUND

EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES

Exploration Geology

Mapping and Surveying

Geophysics

Geochemistry

Drilling Technology

Directions for Future R&amp

D

MINING TECHNOLOGIES

Current Mining Technologies

Limitations of Present Mining Technology

The Case for New Technology

MINERAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Current Mineral Processing Technologies

Directions for Future R&amp.

D

METAL EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGIES

Recent Pyrometallurgical Process Developments

Nickel

Precious Metals

Recent Hydrometallurgical Process Developments

Nickel and Cobalt

RESEARCH AGENDA

Exploration

Mining Technologies

Minerals Processing

Metals Extraction

4 Resources for Research and Development

INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

FEDERAL ROLE IN MINERALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research Resources

ACADEMIC RESEARCH RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES

Academic Capabilities

Research Centers and Institutions

ISSUES AFFECTING FUTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Industrial Issues

Weaknesses and Limitations of Academic Research

Bureau of Mines-Supported Programs

Cross-Cutting Issues

Technology Transfer

Human Resource Issues

REFERENCE

5 Federal Role in Technology and Competitiveness

MINERALS AND METALS POLICY IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD

Minerals and Metals Policy in the U.S.

Minerals and Metals Policies of Other Countries

Developed Countries

Developing Countries

ROLE OF THE BUREAU OF MINES

Status of the Bureau of Mines

Within the Federal Establishment

Relationships with Industry

Alternative Institutional Models

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

Expert Advice to the Bureau of Mines

Promoting Collaborative Research and Development

Developing Consensus Within the Minerals and Metals Policy Community

Stimulating Rapid Technology Transfer

Improved Planning and Coordination

6 Recommendations

INDUSTRY AND ACADEME

1. Industry Support for Collaborative Research and Development

2. Industry Involvement with Academic Research Programs

3. Stability of University Programs.

4. Interuniversity Coordination and Collaboration in Research

BUREAU OF MINES AND OTHER AGENCIES

5. Advanced Research Initiative for Mining and Minerals

6. Maintaining Relevance of Research by Mineral Institutes and GMTCs to National Needs

7. Funding of University Research

8. Focus of Bureau of Mines Research

9. Advisory Committee

10. Visiting Committees

11. Minerals and Metals Community Forum

12. Enhanced Technical Information

Appendix Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786610212521

9781280212529

1280212527

9780309571975

0309571979

9780585155371

0585155372

OCLC:

559484165