"If it can't be grown, it must be mined."

This fundamental truth underscores the global need for mining, and the reason why it has been carried out since prehistoric times. To supply the raw materials for buildings, industrial goods, vehicles, technology, and even art, minerals and rock must be removed from the Earth.

"Mining" describes this removal, but also covers the ore deposit exploration, developments of ore deposit models (geological, engineering and mineral economics-focused) and post-removal processing to extract the economically valuable materials, environmental protection, and social and corporate responsibility, in a construct known as the "Mining Value Chain."

Mining continues to evolve due to the new emphasis on extracting a wider range of materials than ever before for green technologies, on using novel robotic and earth observation technology in exploration and mining, and on integrating environmental and social protection measures throughout the Mining Value Chain.

Today's paradigms are "sustainable" and "responsible mining", mining that is profitable but protects the environment, human rights, and health. Mining: A Very Short Introduction covers this information and looks to the future to see where mining ideally will go.