Mining is the bedrock of civilization.
All of mankind's material needs must be dug from the earth, grown in the soil or taken from the sea. We must all remember that our horn of plenty begins with a hole in the ground . As populations increase and civilization becomes more complex and technologically advanced, the demand for minerals increases. It is now necessary to produce over 40,000 pounds of minerals each year for every man, woman and child living in this country . In order to meet the constantly changing needs of our dynamic society, a vast array of mineral products must be supplied.