Congress, the press and technical publications have recently become interested in the implications of U.S. dependence on imports for more than 20 nonfuel materials. This interest is reflected in new policies regarding the acquisition of materials for the National Defense Stockpile, the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980; and the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the institutional and technical issues involved. Behind the renewed interest is the vulnerability of some of these materials to the sudden disruptions in price or supply that could arise because of cartels, war, or policies to deny materials to Western nations. Market forces alone may not protect the vital or defense interests of the nation, and Government policies to mitigate against such disruptions may be in order. Such policies could include incentives to develop lower-grade resources, to carry out research aimed at improving recovery techniques for lower-grade or alternative ores, and to conduct research on materials fabrication, substitution and conservation. While short term disruptions of supply are likely and could have substantial economic consequences, the future development of an industrial society does not appear to be jeopardized by mineral and metal shortages.