List of Valuable Natural Resources

Natural Resource: Product/Service
Trees:  Paper, furniture, fuel
Cotton plant:  Clothing
Oil/Petroleum:  Plastic, fuel
Gas:  Fuel
Coal:  Fuel
Iron ore:  Steel products (cans, bridges)
Bauxite: ore  Aluminum products (cans, car parts)
Gold:  Jewelry, dental material
Copper:  Wire, coins, electrical equipment
Manganese:  Steel, cast iron
Cobalt:  Steel, jet engine parts, cutting tools
Platinum:  Air pollution control and telecom­munications equipment, jewelry
Chromium:  Stainless steel, green glass, gems (rubies and emeralds), leather treatment
Diamonds:  Jewelry, mechanical equipment

(From EPA's "Quest for Less")