ABSTRACT
World consumption of steel and steel-related metals has long been of interest to resource economists as well as to policy makers. This chapter investigates some key issues associated with the world demand for steel, and steel-related metals, i.e. aluminium, copper, lead, tin, nickel and zinc. It focuses on the comparison of regional demand for the major metals. The findings should be of use to governments and business communities in drawing their future development plans. The chapter examines the evolution of world consumption of the major metals, i.e. steel, aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin and zinc. It summarizes the work carried out recently by the World Bank and the Economic Research Centre of the University of Western Australia. The chapter describes the evolution of aggregate consumption of the metals in the world. The Asian market not only commands the lion’s share of world consumption of the major metals but also is the most dynamic market among the regions.
