U.S. Dependence on South African Minerals

This research examines and assesses the significance of American strategic materials supply dependence on the Republic of South Africa. Several questions must be addressed in this examination and assessment. These questions are as follows:

1. Which minerals are of strategic significance to the United States?

2. Which of the strategic minerals must be imported by the United States to meet industrial and national defense demands?

3. Which of the strategic materials which must be imported are available to the United States only or largely from the Republic of South Africa?

4. What will be the probable effect on the availability of strategic mineral supply to the United States from the Republic of South Africa of the current political uncertainty in that country?

5. How will the significance of American strategic mineral supply dependence on the Republic of South Africa likely be affected by the current political uncertainty in the Soviet Union?

Minerals of Strategic Significance to

The list of minerals that are of strategic significance to the United States is both long and varied. These minerals, together with their strategic applications, are as follows (Bureau of Mines, 1990):

1. Barite. This mineral is used in the production of oil drilling fluids.

2. Bauxite. This mineral is used in the production of aluminum, which, in turn, is used in the production o

. . .
portation, thus, is not a significant problem with respect to national defense needs. Chile's is the world's leading producer of this mineral, and it is also produced in the Soviet Union, Canada, Zambia, and Zaire. 9. Fluorspar. American import requirements for this mineral are met primarily from Mexico. The mineral is also produced in South Africa. 10. Gold. The United States is the world's third largest producer of this mineral. Importation, thus, is not a significant problem with respect to national defense needs. South Africa is the world's leading producer of this mineral, and it is also produced in Canada, the Soviet Union, and Brazil. 11. Graphite. American import requirements for this mineral are met primarily from Mexico. The mineral is also produced in China, Brazil, and Madagascar. 12. Iron. The United States is a major world producer of this mineral. Importation, thus, is not a significant problem with respect to national defense needs. Other major producing countries are the Soviet Union, Brazil, Australia, and China. 13. Manganese. American import requirements for this mineral are met primarily from South Africa. The world's leading producers of this mineral is Gabon.14. Molybdenum. The Un
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Approximate Word count = 3022
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)