Are minerals much in demand for modern technology?
Yes. There are at least 30 minerals that are particularly important in the U.S. for industrial/technological needs. The metals most in demand are: aluminum, copper, gold, silver, iron, tin, platinum, chromium, nicket, lead and zinc. The non-metals most in demand are: diamond, salt, limestone, sulphur (sulfur) and asbestos. Most of these exist almost everywhere but can not always be used. This is sometimes because there are no appropriate methods of separating the desired mineral from the other minerals in the rock. In other cases the amounts present are too small. When minerals are present in situations where they can be extracted at a profit, they are called ore deposits.
