ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book looks at the two concepts - resources and development - within the context of the contemporary Third World. It shows that mineral resources - including fuel minerals such as oil - is mainly focused at an international level, and explores the ways in which mining activities integrate mineral producers into the world economy. The book examines who benefits from this industry and why. It is concerned primarily with the way in which energy affects the welfare of people at a local level. The book describes the complex interrelationships of economy and environment and the place of energy within these complex relationships. A resource is anything that contributes to the process of production. Resources take many forms, but all reflect a relationship between human wants, abilities and appraisal of the physical universe.
