Mineral resources development and the environment in Africa

Abstract

Minerals embrace all non-living substances extracted from the earth for use by man. Generally, these economic minerals include the energy fuels (coal, oi1^ natural gas and uranium); metals; and non-metals (or industrial minerals), classified on the basis of their uses and their physical and chemical characteristics. On the other hand, environment is used to describe the total setting for economic development activity. The term refers not only to the naturally occurring milieu (the ecological systems which surround and collectively support man), but also extends to the socio-cultural milieu which man has created to adapt to the demands and challenges of his naturally occurring surroundings. Ecology is used to refer to the relationship between organisms and their environment, including most especially the man-environment relationship.