This paper is an excerpt from the author’s doctoral dissertation in Mineral Economics at the Pennsylvania State University, titled "International Trade in Iron Ore: An Econometric Analysis of the Determinants of Trade Patterns and Comparative Advantage." The work rests mainly on 11 equations which were used to identify and assess the impact of major factors on iron ore trade. Although the study is slanted towards iron ore trade, it sheds light on the various aspects of the mineral industries. Furthermore, the global framework provides a structure in which a mineral producing country could find its proper role.