資源経済特集号 資源問題と日本のＯＤＡ

Abstract

It seems strange and unusual but quite significant that various catastrophic phenomena have been observed occurring simultaneously toward the end of the 20th century. World population growth is very rapid and energy consumption by human being has increased remarkably. So is the mineral consumption. It is thought the time has come when we have to carefully watch and consider over the earth's supply of useful minerals in the danger of exhaustion.For the increase of earth's mineral resources from the global view, utilization of existing resources including low grade ore is necessary and for this purpose technical renovation is essential, as the reserves are determined by economic conditions containing mining and mineral processing cost and methods, in addition to geological conditions.Most of the mineral consumers are what is called advanced countries, who depend upon the supply from developing countries. Therefore, technical cooperation between advanced and developing countries is important for the smooth supply of mineral resources. There are various ways of assistance by the advanced countries to the developing countries. Official Development Assistance (ODA) could well contribute to the global problems including the developing of mineral resources.