metals and their compounds have been used for millennia because of their unique properties. they are used in highly valued products of modern technology, furthermore, they plan an essential role in renewable energy technologies. after having analyzed issues of metal stocks in society and recycling rates and recycling conditions and opportunities in the previous two reports on metals, metal stocks in society report and recycling rates of metals report, the international resource panel decides to address the environmental and energy issues related to the use and the production of metals. in this report, an assessment is made of literature on metal flows and cycles in nature and in society, the way they are connected, and the potential impacted related to them. the four areas of focus are 1) local impacts of mining, 2) life cycle energy use, 3) non-metal sources, and 4) the need for a final sink. furthermore, the author point out that a sustainable metals management cannot be defined in isolation, because a global issue like this is linked to many other issues at the global level: population and welfare increase, the concurrent expected rise in demand for food, water, and energy, the availability of metals and other non-renewable materials, the shift to a renewable energy system, dietary choices, etc. therefore it should be part of an overall effort to steer society towards a more sustainable development.