The new US Minerals Databrowser uses as its base the minerals data set found in US Geological Survey Data Series 140. This data set provides consumption/production, import/export, price and usage data for a large number of minerals used in manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. Oil Drum readers may be interested in this data set, because many of the minerals are ones which have been described as being nearing or past their peak, or ones for which import dependence is an issue.

Many of you are familiar with Jonathan's Energy Export Databrowser, which he created in 2008, showing imports and exports of energy products by various countries around the world, based on BP's Statistical Review.

Jonathan Callahan , a PhD chemist who has worked for almost 20 years as a data analysis/data visualization expert for various Federal science agencies (NOAA, NASA, EPA), has created a new data browser, called US Minerals Databrowser.

The data, when it is complete, can go back as far as 1900. The most recent year varies, but is often as recent as 2008 for some data elements. The Databrowser shows up to five graphics for each mineral:

1. US Production / Imports - This graphic also shows US consumption and exports.

2. World Production / Price - This graphic also shows US production.

3. Price Evolution - Displays price vs. world production, the way an economist might look at it.

4. Usage history - (Only for items without an *) - Shows how consumption by product has varied over time.

5. Usage pie - (Only for items without an *) - Shows consumption by product for the most recent year available (often 2003) as a pie chart.

More detail describing these charts and their interpretation can be found on the About page.

Many of us use Jonathan's Energy Export Databrowser very regularly. This new tool promises to be very helpful as well, when questions come up about a mineral, and wether production is likely to hit a peak in the near future. It is also helpful to know what a particular mineral is used for, and how that has changed over time. To give an illustration how this databrowser can be used, I put this post up the same day that a Campfire post on potassium (from potash) and phosphorous (phosphate) is up.

Jonathan tells us he would like constructive feedback on his new databrowser. So give him your thoughts in this thread, or contact him at jonathan.s.callahan [at] gmail [dot] com.