Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
absolute scarcity with its quantity quite simply determining the maximum amount
of genetic material that can be produced. It is thus essential to the entire wellbeing
of the planet. For others, the limitation is not true scarcity but relates rather
to insu
cient technological development for the extraction of the element - as is
the case for rhodium. Scarcity may also relate to geopolitical circumstances, as
occurs with the platinum group. It can be a question of economics, where perhaps
copper provides the best example. Some scarcities may relate to health and the
environment as is the case for lead, cadmium or mercury (Scholz and Lang, 2007).
Furthermore, those that recognise the problem of long term scarcity, are told
not to be concerned until 2028-2100, especially as the extreme planetary limits have
yet to be explored. Why worry when we still have the poles, the deepest oceans, the
vast deserts or rainforests? Surely, they harbour enormous quantities of minerals for
the future generations. But the truth is reluctant to accommodate this optimism.
Empirically speaking, each and every time it becomes increasingly unlikely that new
mineral deposits will be found in su
cient quantities as to favour their commercial
extraction. In simple terms, the energy required to extract mineral ores from a
mine will grow continuously, as will the contamination, whilst the quantity and
quality of the mineral becomes gradually less and less. So, if today's value for
mineral extraction corresponds to 8-10% of energy worldwide, it will do nothing
more than multiply into the future, with or without advanced recycling techniques
and technologies as will be seen in Chap. 14.
This is one of the many examples where society clings to the underlying view
that technology will always prevail, allowing Man to dig deeper, faster and more
devastatingly than ever before. But this over-reliance on technology, the capacity
to recycle, miniaturisation and nanotechnologies is arguably little more than blind
faith.
1.7 Thanatia: the destiny of mineral resources?
Whilst many continue to deny the existence of scarcity and the need for it to be
tackled in the name of money making and opportunity costs, a growing contingent
are awakening to the fact that exhaustion is a physical fact relating to reserves, not
hypothetical resources.
So if the growing alarm calls are to be taken seriously, one must begin to provide
an annual account of the production of raw materials: from the extraction until the
product and from the product until the “urban mine” and later until its dispersion.
At the moment, this is not possible as there is no global accounting topic or even
procedure with which to identify the degree of extraction, or the detrimental en-
vironmental effects caused as a result. Neither is there a record stating how each
and every metal processed out of a mine is assembled, integrated, diluted and/or
alloyed. Or where that product finally ends up either dispersed by oxidisation or as
a consequence of its use and disposal.
Such a record could be established thorough the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA),
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