鉱物資源の安定供給と環境問題

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There are many factors which can become obstacles against the stable supply of mineral resources, and unstable supply causes serious disruptions in both the economy and industry. In Information Technology (IT) industries, some rare metals used as high function materials are immediately needed for import. For instance, small condensers for mobile phones or laptop personal computers require powdered tantalum. Recently, this powdered tantalum is in short supply as the demand for I.T. products increases rapidly. This shortage causes a steep rise in price and the market shifts to speculation. Shortages are the most serious problem in Japan, worse than high prices, because we consume 20-25% of the world's products, that is, lack of resources affects not only the economy but also technology. Since supply conditions for each metal are different, it is impossible to simply discuss the reason why shortages occur. For the base metals that have a long history of use like copper, iron, lead and zinc, it is relatively easy to clarify their market mechanism, while for most rare metals it is difficult to discuss the relation between supply and demand. In the IT industry, munition industry or space development, new materials are continuously developed from many rare metals, and market mechanisms are always changed by these new materials. In such conditions, the gap in environmental safeguards among countries becomes a serious problem because it highlights the difference of ability in price competition. Developed countries generally load more expenses than developing countries for environmental safeguards, therefore, developing countries have more advantages than developed countries. As a result, many metal mines in developed countries must be closed, and maldistribution of rare metals becomes worse; price manipulation would be easier by monopoly or oligopoly. On the other hand, developing countries make global environmental problems worse because of their resource extractions. In this paper, the basic conditions for a stable supply are considered first, and then shortages, which are caused by environmental problems, is considered.
関西大学の論文
2003-08-25

鉱物資源の安定供給と環境問題

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