Postwar Demand and Supply of Mineral

IN considering the postwar demand and supply of minerals it first must be decided whether to treat the subject in national or in global terms. Minerals and metals move in international commerce on a grand scale, measured both in bull, and weight, being exceeded only by foodstuffs. As examples are oil, coal, iron ore, pyrites, manganese, chrome, potash, phosphates, bauxite, and a score of other metals, concentrates, and ores. The highly industrialized nations, the United States excepted, are dependent upon imported supplies for mineral raw materials and metals. The countries of production are minor consumers, so are exporters. Such products also pass more freely in trade than do most commodities. There are fewer tariff walls because there is no important mining industry to protect and the commodity has to be imported in any event.