This volume discusses the mineral resources upon which modern civilization is built. Take away these minerals and humanity will rapidly return to the stone age, with its greatest concern the depletion of flint (also a mineral). It would, of course, result in about a 99% reduction in population. In other words, approximately 99% of the worlds' population is dependent on minerals for its existence.

In contrast to the recognized man/machine system of industry, the production process of mineral resources brings about a man/machine/nature system. The dynamic evolution of this system is characterized by a steady increase in the level of human labour. This also means that labour becomes increasingly complex and complicated due to the interaction with increased automation and mechanization.

This book documents the proceedings of the symposium, "Mineral Scale Formation and Inhibition," held at the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting August 21 to 26, 1994, in Washington, D.C. The symposium, sponsored by the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, was held in honor of Professor George H. Nancollas for his pioneering work in the field of crystal growth from solution. A total of 30 papers were presented by a wide spectrum of scientists. This book also includes papers that were not presented but were in the symposium program.

Polymeric materials are heavily loaded with mineral fillers such as talc, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and silica from non-renewable resources such as limestone, sand, metamorphic rocks and rock deposits. These mineral fillers are found to increase the mechanical properties, thermal stability, process ability and fire retardancy of polymer composites. However, mining of these fillers can cause adverse effects on the environment such as depletion of natural flora and fauna, erosion of soil, instability of soil and rock masses and changes in the environmental landscape. <...>