Geopolitics of Strategic Minerals: The Example of Chromium.
Abstract
Chromium is one of the most strategic and critical of all minerals to the U.S. Chromium provides the basis for examining the U.S. import dependence on ores and concentrates (i.e., chromite), versus import dependence on the processed form of a mineral (i.e., ferrochrome). Generally the strategic advantage belongs to the country that does most of a mineral's processing, whether it be the producing or the consuming country. They gain the added value of processed materials over ores. Ore producers who do the processing also incur lower transportation costs in exporting their goods. The dire straits faced by the U.S. ferrochrome processing industry make it a fascinating case study of how foreign policy options are formulated. Generally, economics rules decision making in mineral markets. However, governments may choose to support uneconomic mineral production programs or financially support other activities (i.e. R&D, stockpiling, foreign aid, exploration, substitution, recycling, etc.) if they are viewed as decreasing minerals import vulnerability. This thesis provides specific conclusions and recommendations regarding the U.S. chromium import independence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA150351
Entities
People
- J. R. Sarver