Showing papers in "Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report in 2009"
TL;DR: The authors examined three large energy-consuming (and/or -producing) countries, the USA, China and Russia, and the story of a generation's economic progress (or decline, as the case may be) is seen through the lens of energy consumption.
Abstract: As a consequence of the powerful changes that have occurred over the last three decades in the principal ‘drivers’ of economic change, there have been significant realignments in the global patterns of production and consumption of natural resources, as well as in the intensity of their use, in the quest to raise the level of material wellbeing throughout the world. In this paper, three large energy-consuming (and/or -producing) countries are examined – the USA, China and Russia – and the story of a generation's economic progress (or decline, as the case may be) is seen through the lens of energy consumption – the ‘stuff’ that fuels a modern ‘standard of living’. After presenting data on gross domestic product, population, the observed levels and annual growth rates of consumption and production of three fuel minerals over a 35-year interval ending in 2005 for these countries and for the world, the paper includes a description of these countries' growing import dependence (or, as the case may be,...
4 citations
TL;DR: The European Union has already cleared the path for the future accession of Turkey and the Western Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia).
Abstract: The European Union has already cleared the path for the future accession of Turkey and the Western Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia). The question is whether their mineral potential can significantly enrich Europe's supply situation, which is facing an international run on resources. Production and resource data for oil and natural gas clearly reveal that neither Turkey nor the Western Balkans have any considerable potential; their share of the EU-27 actual production is well below five per cent and they will remain net importers. Lignite is the only energy commodity with good potential. On the metal side, the accession countries produce chromium, boron and borates far in excess of European production; bauxite has a significant share. Other ferrous and non-ferrous metals primarily meet domestic demand. As expected, Turkey's mining and smelting production capacities, and its resources, are often larger than those of the seven Western Bal...
2 citations
TL;DR: The main purpose of as mentioned in this paper is to provide a review of the European market for bentonite, a clay mineral with a wide range of industrial applications, focusing on the recent years and attempt to shed light on where bentonite is produced, the direction of major trade flows and the main drivers of the Europe market.
Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the European market for bentonite, a clay mineral with a wide range of industrial applications. The paper outlines some of the main uses of bentonite to gain a context in which the values of bentonite as an economic mineral can be understood. In addition, the paper examines the global geography of bentonite production and briefly addresses the world market and directions of trade. We focus on the recent years and attempt to shed light on where bentonite is produced, the direction of major trade flows and the main drivers of the European market.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined three large minerals-consuming (and -producing) countries, the USA, China and Russia, and the story of a generation's economic progress (or decline, as the case may be) is seen through the lens of resource consumption.
Abstract: As a consequence of the powerful changes that have occurred over the last three decades in the principal ‘drivers’ of economic change, there have been significant realignments in the global patterns of production and consumption of natural resources, as well as in the intensity of their use, in the quest to raise the level of material wellbeing throughout the world In this paper, three large minerals-consuming (and -producing) countries are examined – the USA, China and Russia – and the story of a generation's economic progress (or decline, as the case may be) is seen through the lens of resource consumption – the ‘stuff’ that comprises a modern ‘standard of living’ After presenting data on gross domestic product, population, the observed levels and annual growth rates of consumption and production of four non-fuel minerals over a 35-year interval ending in 2005 for these countries and for the world, the paper includes a description of these countries' growing import dependence (or, as the case
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse the existing international and other legal regimes applicable to decommissioning, while considering country examples and outcomes of contractual relations, and discuss emerging trends in the decomposition of oil and gas installations.
Abstract: All stages of petroleum development involve a chain of obligations and residual rights which include issues ranging from real environmental concerns to public perception of performance. Events in contemporary times suggest that the ability to deal effectively with these issues will be the defining moment in the energy industry this decade. One obligation currently occupying the front burner is the decommissioning of oil and gas installations. Decommissioning, which is the process of physical removal and disposal of structures at the end of their working life, is particularly complex due to the unpredictability of its date and cost. It is, however, unavoidable. While legislative and contractual mechanisms are easily formulated, the reality of implementation remains the answer to success. This paper aims at analysing the existing international and other legal regimes applicable to decommissioning, while considering country examples and outcomes of contractual relations. It also discusses emerging t...