Exhaustion of mineral resources

Industrial development has placed increasing demand on the available mineral resources. These resources are non-renewable and methods of recycling tend to be inadequate.

In particular, hydrocarbons and metalliferous ores are extracted without considering long range availability.

1. At present rates of consumption, minerals due to run out within 50 years are copper, lead, mercury, nickel, tin and zinc.

1. Shortage of natural resources
2. Irreversible depletion of natural capital
3. Exhaustion

1. Long-term shortage of mineral fuels and lubricants
2. Long-term shortage of mineral energy resources
3. Long-term shortage of metalliferous ores and metal scrap
4. Long-term shortage of crude fertilizers and crude minerals, excluding coal, petroleum and precious stones

1. Shortage of construction materials

1. Unconstrained exploitation of natural resources

1. Instability of mining and quarrying industry

1. Planning development of natural resources
2. Depleting natural resources
3. Depleting mineral resources
4. Conserving mineral resources

1. Shortage
2. Short-termism
3. Exhaustion
4. Depletion