ABSTRACT
Resources are those usable materials that occur naturally within the earth. They are often referred to as natural resources and include the fossil fuels, mineral resources, wood, and other renewable energy resources. The development of resources is usually concerned with the production or use of energy. The use of natural resources has continued in an as-needed manner for several centuries. A resource is the entire commodity that exists in the sediments and strata whereas the reserves represent that fraction of a commodity that can be recovered economically. Coal forms a major part of the earth’s fossil fuel resources, with the amount available being subject to the method of estimation and to the definition of the resources. Mineral resources have been known and developed throughout historical time, especially ores containing copper. The increased use and popularity of mineral resources are due, without doubt, to the relative ease of accessibility which has, in many cases, remained relatively unchanged over the centuries.
