Originally published in 1987, Eggert documents trends in the level and the distribution of expenditures by mining companies for metallic mineral exploration and examines a number of factors that may be responsible for these trends. This study serves as an introduction to the subject for students interested in environmental studies, natural resources, and economics.

Preface; Introduction; 1. The Nature of Mineral Exploration 2. Exploration Expenditures in Selected Countries 3. The Episodic Nature of Exploration for Particular Minerals 4. Economic Productivity of Mineral Exploration 5. Conclusions; Statistical Appendix