Article Title: Some Statistics on Limited Natural Resources [Part I Do We Have Enough Natural Resources to Share?]]
Author's Name: Scot Aaron
Author's Copyright: 2005
Author's Email: 4scot @ great-year.com
Author's Website: http://2divineways.com
Word Count: 1949
Natural elements of Earth supply the foundation for our modern, industrial and technological reality. Ancient civilizations used calcium (lime) as mortar for buildings. A seemingly endless supply of limestone can be used for buildings, along with silicon from sand, or nitrogen from the air. Oceans can supply ample salt to extract sodium and chlorine; however some elements like silver, tin, lead and cooper or hydrocarbons (oil and gas) appear limited. Scientists can substitute certain elements and/or find more efficient methods of extraction; however the limitation of various resources calls for us to consider an alternative future for global sustainability.
A few notes on these statistics are necessary. First, a significant portion of our global population does not even have access to safe drinking water. The infrastructure for modern life requires pipes for water and sewage and a power grid to transport electricity. Now is the time to consider where we devote Earth’s natural resources and if we have the power to share what Earth shares with us. Beyond diamonds and gold for jewelry, various needed resources come from Southern Africa. Do the indigenous people share in the bounty of their rich resources? Just like drastic inequalities exist within the rich nations, even more severe inequalities persist between the millions without adequate food supplies and clean water.
Much of the world is only starting to develop and access technologies. This requires the world’s natural resources. India and China account for more than 2 billion people. Resources are being used at increasing rates. Now is the time to assess the way we live and seriously consider how we can share our global resources. Let’s provide a stable future for youth of the world. The following preliminary assessment of various world resources should allow us to rethink responsibilities to our progeny. What will we leave after we die?
The US Geological Survey (USGS) is a primary resource. They relied on reports provided by geologists for mining companies throughout the world. Additional reserve analyses and information stem from Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, by John Emsley, Oxford University Press, 2003. Economic reserves do have margins of error. The more likely proven reserves are stated first. Substitute elements can be used in some cases, yet these are often less economical and/or also limited.
This list should have us think about if we should continue our materialistic binge. Please consider our responsibly for fellow humans still at a subsistence level of existence.
C Carbon / Hydrocarbons As oil we have reserves of about 1 trillion barrels with extended reserves up to 3 trillion barrels. The 28 billion barrels we use per year might last for 35-100 years. Oil, natural gas and coal are the fabric of our modern reality. Beyond providing fuel for transportation and necessary industrial energy, they provide the basis of plastics, nylons and other synthetic materials. Plenty of articles and information are available concerning “peak oil.” US oil production already peaked. Whether global production has or will shortly peak does not limit our rabid consumption of hydrocarbons.
Ag Silver [Element’s states 17,000 tons are mined per year with 1 million tons reserve = 60 years.] According to the US Geological Survey, world mine production in 2004 was 270,000 tons. At this rate world reserves will last 14 years with a potential extended reserve base of 29 years. Used for prints, films, X-ray images, mirrors, silverware, jewelry, batteries and more.
Sn Tin [Element’s states 140,000+ tons are mined per year with 4 million + tons = 30 years.] According to the US Geological Survey, world mine production in 2004 was 250,000 tons. At this rate world reserves will last 25 years with a potential extended reserve base of 44 years. Currently we make 100 billion cans of food with tinplate, with 30% of these being recycled.
Cu Copper [Element’s states 12 million tons are mined per year with reserves about 300 million tons = 25 years.] According to the US Geological Survey, 2004 world production was 14.5 million tons, with the major world mines reporting 33 years of reserves at the current production rates. The reserve base is estimated at 60 years. Copper is used for many parts of a home like the pipes, wiring, hinges, etc. Ideal for electrical wiring (60%), but can use aluminum; also used for roofing/plumbing (20%), industrial machinery and heat exchange (15%), alloys like brass which is mainly Cu with Zn (5%). Current production is increasing. China has surpassed the U.S. in copper use.
Zn Zinc [Element’s states about 7 million tons are mined per year, with exploitable reserves at 100+ million tons. Accessible zinc may last less than 20 years.] World Production is 9.1 million tons per year with reserves of 24 years, and a reserve base of 46 yrs. Zinc is used to galvanize steel (50%), die-cast components like carburetors, and make brass. Zinc oxide is used in paints and plastics.
Pb Lead [Element’s states 6 million tons are mined per year with workable reserves at about 85 million tons, which is less than 15 years.] The U.S. Geological Survey shows 3.15 million tons mined in 2004 with reserves at 21.3 years and a reserve base of 44.5 years. Lead is used in car batteries (35%), to protect underground cables, shield humans against radiation, etc.
In Indium [Element’s states 75 tons are mined per year with 1500+ tons reserves equaling about 20 years.] According to the US Geological Survey, world mine production in 2004 was 325 tons. At this rate, stated world reserves of 2500 tons will last 8 years with a potential extended reserve base of 19 years. Indium is used as a low melting alloy in fire-sprinkler systems and some semiconductors.
Sb Antimony [Element’s states 50,000 tons are mined per year with 5+ million tons reserve that equals about 100+ years] According to the US Geological Survey, world mine production in 2004 was 112,000 tons. At this rate world reserves will last 16 years with a potential extended reserve base of 35 years. Two thirds of antimony is used in plastics as flame retardant (add to PVC pipes, car components, credit cards, etc.), in safety matches, and in some semiconductors.
Cd Cadmium [Element’s states 14,000 tons are mined per year (associated with Zinc) with 43 years of reserves.] The U.S. Geological Survey shows world refinery production at 17,200 tons with 35 years of reserve and 70 years of an extended reserve base. Regulation has placed restrictions on this heavy metal, yet China and developing countries are increasing their use cadmium for battery production. Zinc-Cadmium batteries are used for some electric cars.
P Phosphorus [Element’s states 153 million tons are mined per year with reserves of 6 billion tons of easy access (about 40 years), with vast amounts of poorer quality.] The U.S. Geological Survey shows world reserves at 138 years, with an extended reserve base of more than 350 years at current production. (Note, combined phosphate rock reserves in Idaho, North Carolina and Utah are substantial and mines can be maintained for 50 years.) There are no substitutes for phosphorus in agriculture.
S Sulfur [Element’s states 50 million tons mined per year with a reserve of 50 years of easy access. The U.S. geological Survey stated world mine production in 2004 as 63 million tons. A 1999 report stated 1.4 billion tons reserve (18 years left) with a 3.4 billion ton extended reserves (extended to 50 years). Other sulfur sources have no low cost means to extract. Sulfur is primarily used for Sulfuric Acid, the #1 industrial chemical. Other Acids might be substituted.
Cr Chromium [Element’s states 14 million tons are mined a year with a reserve estimate of 1 billion, about 80 years.] According to the US Geological Survey, the 2004 world production was 17 million tons with major mines reporting 48 years of reserves at the current production rates. The reserve base is estimated at 106 years and some analysts project that potential reserves in southern Africa will last centuries. Cr can be polished to a high shine and is necessary for stainless steel.
Mn Manganese [Element’s states 25 million tons are mined per year with reserve over 3 billion tons = 120+ years.] According to the US Geological Survey 2004 world production was 11 million with 35 years of reserves at the current production rates. The reserve base ‘infers’ huge deposits in South Africa for 5.1 billion tons that will last for hundreds of years. (Manganese nodules are also on the in ocean floor.) Most Mn goes into alloys, mainly steel, where 1% can improve strength. Manganese steel (13% Mn) is extremely strong.
Fe Iron [Element’s states 500 million tons per year of new Fe with economic reserves over 100 billion tons = 200+ years] The U.S. Geological Survey presents 128 years at the current mine production with about 300 years in a potential extended reserve.
Se Selenium [Element’s states use at 1500 tons per year (90% from slime when refining copper electrolytically) with 100,000 tons in ore deposits = 67 years.] According to the US Geological Survey world mines in 2004 produced 1,500 tons. At this production, 55 years of reserves exist with 114 years of a reserve base; however this reserve base is tied to copper mining which appears to be less than 60 years. Se is used in photocopiers, solar cells, etc.
Pa Palladium [Element’s states use at 300 tons per year with reserves estimated 24,000 = 80 years] Pa is used in electronic: widescreen TV, computers, mobile phones, capacitors etc.
Ba Barium, Barite (barium sulfate) is the main ore mined, primarily used to extract oil and natural gas. According to the US Geological Survey, 2004 world mine production was 6.9 million tons with reserves of 29 years at current production rates. The extended reserve base shows 107 years with more resources identified.
W Tungsten / Wolfram [Element’s states 40,000 tons mined per year with 5 million tons reserve for about 125 years, most of this in China.] According to the US Geological Survey, 2004 world mine production was 60,000 tons with reserves of 48 years at current production rates. The extended reserve base shows 103 years. (Note that from 2001 to 2004 China increased its reserve base from 1.1 to 4.2 million tons.) Tungsten has the highest boiling point of any element and is used for incandescent light bulb filaments, (photocopies, video camera lights, stage lightning), for cutting tools where the steels are exposed to high speeds, and more.
Z Zirconium According to the US Geological Survey, 2004 world mine production was 860,000 tons with reserves of 44 years at current production rates. The extended reserve base shows 84 years. Z is used for producing steel, alloys, ceramics, cosmetics, antiperspirants, food packaging, fake gems, and in nuclear energy plants.
Bi Bismuth is mined as a byproduct of lead. The US Geological Survey states that the demand should continue to grow to replace lead in brass, pigments, and solders, with some use in steel. Mine production, primarily from lead and cooper reserves is 3,800 tons per year with reserves for 87 years at the current use. (What happens when lead and cooper is no longer profitably mined?)
Sr Strontium According to the US Geological Survey world mines in 2004 produced 510,000 tons. At this production, 13 years of reserves exist with possible 24 years from the stated reserve base. World reserves are considered to ‘exceed a billion tons.’ Strontium exists throughout Earth’s crust; however the economical quality of reserves varies. The primary use is for television glass (although not for flat screen televisions) which China is increasingly using. Strontium salts burn, producing the red color in fireworks and flares (about 9% of the use).
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About the Author: Scot Aaron has three published books. With academic degrees in World Religions, he then researched Earth Sciences and Astrophysics at institutes in Munich. His 2003 book “God’s Science,” developed a Cosmology, a model of creation, that spiritually describes our physical universe in terms of Relativity Ratios, http://2divineways.com . Read Part I, "Do We Really Have Enough Natural Resources to Share?"
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