Some countries have an abundance of natural and raw resources. The majority of mining operations have been shut down. We receive a lot of our essential raw materials coming from other countries that need to be brought to the United States at a cost that is very high.
Also, in the future, a lot of the basic materials will be replaced by materials that we will not require as the possibility of making products out of copper and steel is not likely. If you are looking for raw material inventory, you can visit www.rawtechtrade.com/.
Nanotubes might contain carbon fiber optics, fiber optics, or other special superalloys and composites that are made of exotic metals or which have been re-engineered at the molecular scale.
A lot of economists and the old method of thinking suggest that we should source the raw materials of other nations first. Then, when they are exhausted, we'd be the last to have the raw material we have and wouldn't have any worries.
The goal should therefore be to utilize ourselves as raw materials from our own first and work on new initiatives, grant programs for research and development that take a look to the future for more efficient materials to create products from.
So long as we are able to utilize the raw material we have responsibly and in an environmentally efficient manner, it makes sense to make use of those raw materials from the ground first. Take note of this during the year 2006.