How has exploration for minerals evolved in recent years? Is it as productive an activity as it once was? Why have changes occurred? Roderick G. Eggert explores these and other questions about the complex set of circumstances surrounding metallic mineral exploration. Originally published in 1987, Eggert documents trends in the level and the distribution of expenditures by mining companies for metallic mineral exploration and examines a number of factors that may be responsible for these trends. This significant study serves as a handy introduction to the subject for students interested in environmental studies, natural resources, and economics.

Roderick G. Eggert

Preface; Introduction; 1. The Nature of Mineral Exploration 2. Exploration Expenditures in Selected Countries 3. The Episodic Nature of Exploration for Particular Minerals 4. Economic Productivity of Mineral Exploration 5. Conclusions; Statistical Appendix