ABSTRACT
Discussions of mineral-supply problems have often led to evaluation and comparison of policies and actions at different levels of government that affect mineral-resource development. The importance of mineral resources to nations or other political jurisdictions, as indicated by their mineral endowment, mineral-industry activities, and historical trends of mineral production and use, is sometimes cited when explaining differences between mineral policies of various governments.
The nature and sources of information available to policymakers differ from country to country, and provide another basis for international comparison. In Canada, mineral statistics are collected and mineral resources are analyzed by both government and private organizations. Published mineral-resource reports of Canada's Department of Energy, Mines and Resources and of the Centre for Resource Studies in Kingston, Ontario, are examples of the types of mineral-resource analysis that provide essential information about mineral-industry activities from exploration through refined materials. International comparisons of the types of information available to policymakers may provide some insight into the nature of national mineral policies.
