The United States uses more than 7.5 trillion pounds of nonfuel minerals each year to produce everyday items such as mobile phones and cars. Two new reports from the National Research Council examine minerals that are critical to the U.S. economy, as well as the effectiveness of the National Defense Stockpile (NDS).
MANAGING MATERIALS FOR A 21ST CENTURY MILITARY examines the continuing need for and value of the NDS, a cache of minerals and other strategic materials considered critical for national defense. The report also addresses how both national security threats and global production of key materials have changed over the decades, and how these changes impact the NDS.
MINERALS, CRITICAL MINERALS, AND THE U.S. ECONOMY identifies some of the economically essential minerals and assesses the current state of mineral information available to decision makers. The report also evaluates the potential constraints on mineral supplies from geological, economic, technical, political, and other issues.
Advance copies of both reports will be available to reporters only beginning at noon on Thursday, Oct. 4. THE REPORTS ARE EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE NOON EDT ON FRIDAY, OCT. 5. To obtain copies, contact the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information; tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu.