Minerals Handbook 1996–97

Book excerpt: Regarded as one of the leading sources of condensed minerals information, this new edition of the Minerals Handbook comprises uniform statistical data on 52 of the most industrially important minerals. New additions in this addition include Coal and Soda Ash. The introduction is comprised of several summary pages providing far reaching data on global aspects of minerals information, such as the value of annual production and the import dependence of major economies. For the non-specialist, the Minerals Handbook will be used as an introductory guide to world minerals, drawing together statistics from primary and secondary information detailed in appendices, and pointing the way to original sources. For the specialist it acts as a useful up to date reference tool, comprising key technical information, allowing clear comparisons, and providing sufficient data to allow informed debate on minerals policy.