Everyone involved with the mining and petroleum industries, either directly or indirectly, is aware of the mounting concern by the general public with the possibly deleterious effects of mineral exploration and development on the environment. Oftentimes the outcry about "desecration of the land" is not based on actual knowledge of a specific mining activity. The mineral resource companies are faced with a true dilemma; they are being subjected to increasing governmental restraints and regulations because of the nature of the work they perform while, at the same time, people continue to want more and more manufactured goods which originate in a "hole in the ground." These companies are trying to develop a greater awareness on the part of the public of the problems faced by the industry in providing the necessary raw material required by our technological society. Three magazine articles received by the Department during the past few months discuss different aspects of mineral resource development. Excerpts from them are printed below. These articles are by men who are involved with various phases of mineral conservation and who show that they have given thoughtful attention to this common area of concern. The first report is taken from a news release by Hollis M. Dole, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Mineral Resources. The second item appeared in an article by George Mowbray, who is Director and principal of Stevenson & Kellogg, Ltd. of Canada. The last article is part of a report written by Samuel S. Johnson, President of Jefferson Plywood Co., Redmond, Oregon. Mr. Johnson served on the Advisory Council of the Public Land Law Review Commission. The full report of the Commission was published in June 1970 and contains 18 recommendations of basic principles to guide future policy concerning the public lands. These three articles deserve thoughtful and serious attention. The points brought out in them will eventually have to be recognized by all of us -- the general public, the governmental agencies, and the mineral resource industries -- if we are ever to develop a better understanding of our mutual problems.