ABSTRACT
Mineral resources are, as have seen, stock resources; their supply is finite and in principle the global stock of a mineral diminishes as it is used. The geographical patterns of production inevitably vary from mineral to mineral, but for a large number of minerals some generalizations can be advanced which have widespread validity. The Second World (the Eastern bloc) is largely self-contained in terms of mineral production and demand. The production of many minerals is similarly concentrated, but in a different group of countries. This is the reason why international mineral markets are so important. As far as international mineral trade is concerned, two distinct groups of major mineral producers can be identified. The first is the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa, all of which are capitalist countries which are either part of the First World or are closely allied to it. The second group of countries is Third World mineral producers.
