People worry a lot about looming mineral shortages but this is a solvable problem as it has been solved in the past. In this article in Time, I look back at the response to previous fears of shortages: time.com/7202047/cold... - ThreadSky

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mininghistory.bsky.social • 52 days ago

People worry a lot about looming mineral shortages but this is a solvable problem as it has been solved in the past.

In this article in Time, I look back at the response to previous fears of shortages:

https://time.com/7202047/cold-war-history-critical-minerals/

Comments

mininghistory.bsky.social•52 days ago

I look at how the US responded to fears of shortages in the Cold War and how this gave resource-rich nations leverage.

mininghistory.bsky.social•52 days ago

One caveat: the editor's added the headline about "winning the race" for critical minerals. I don't think this a zero-sum game that needs to be won. There's enough to go around.

jeffmanuel.bsky.social•52 days ago

Excellent piece. I agree that the 1950s "critical minerals" debate has some important lessons for today. FWIW, the domestic side of this debate (using technology to take advantage of US domestic reserves vs foreign ores) was a key story in my first book, TACONITE DREAMS.

mininghistory.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thanks! I enjoyed your book too, particularly the idea/phrase "war against obsolescence"

jeffmanuel.bsky.social•52 days ago

Wow, thanks for reading! (I always assume it's a regional book that isn't on anyone's radar beyond Minnesota.)

mininghistory.bsky.social•52 days ago

I try to read widely on mining history as lots of mining regions have key characteristics in common, particularly with respect to the lives and experiences of the people who live and work there.

katiehowland.bsky.social•52 days ago

📌

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