Metals and Society: An Introduction to Economic Geology (Springer Geochemistry/Mineralogy Book 2)

In the second edition Steve Kesler (University of Michigan) has been added as an author to rewrite some chapters. The motivation for this revised edition is to more intensively address economic issues that surround the exploitation of mineral resources. This emphasis gives the book a unique character. With these sections __Metals and Society__ deals with issues that pervade much of current science reporting – the rate of exploitation of natural resources, the question of when or if these resources will be exhausted, the pollution and social disturbance that accompanies mining, the compromises and challenges that arise from the explosion of demand from China, India and other rapidly developing countries, and the moral issues that surround mining of metals in lesser developed countries for consumption in the “first-world” countries. With its dual character, the book will be useful as an introductory text for students in the earth sciences and a reference volume for students, teachers and researchers of geography, economics and the social sciences. This book is a comprehensive overview of economic geology for the general geologist and anyone else interested in the minerals industry and the global supply of raw materials. It includes some thought-provoking statements and questions for discussion on globalisation and current practices in the minerals industry. In the second edition, all chapters have been extensively revised, and a new author has been added to increase coverage of some mineral deposits and topics. The economic issues surrounding the exploitation of mineral resources is discussed in three of the six chapters of the book. It deals with issues that are commonly addressed in current science reporting – the rate of exploitation of natural resources, the question of when or if these resources will be exhausted, the pollution and social disturbance that accompanies mining, the compromises and challenges that arise from the explosion in demand from China, India and other rapidly developing countries,and the moral issues that surround mining of metals in lesser-developed countries for consumption in the “first-world” countries. The book will be useful both as an introductory text for students in the earth sciences and a reference volume for students, teachers and researchers of geography, economics and the social sciences. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-18 Classification, Distribution and Uses of Ores and Ore Deposits....Pages 19-42 Magmatic Ore Deposits....Pages 43-72 Hydrothermal Deposits....Pages 73-112 Deposits Formed by Sedimentary and Surficial Processes....Pages 113-140 The Future of Economic Geology....Pages 141-151 Back Matter....Pages 153-160 This book focuses not only on the nature and origin of ore deposits but also explores the economic issues that surround the exploitation of mineral resources. Coverage includes demand from developing nations, exploitation and exhaustion of resources and more.