Criticality of the Geological Zinc, Tin, and Lead Family

摘要: Concerns about the future availability and continuity of metal supplies have triggered research efforts to define assess criticality. In this study, we apply a comprehensive methodology elements geological zinc, tin, lead family: zinc (Zn); germanium (Ge); cadmium (Cd); indium (In); tin (Sn); (Pb). Zn, Sn, Pb played important roles in various technological sectors for centuries, whereas Ge, Cd, are by-product metals that increasingly utilized emerging strategic technologies. Criticality assessments made on national (i.e., United States) global levels 2008. The results presented with uncertainty estimates three-dimensional “criticality space,” comprised supply risk (SR), environmental implications, vulnerability restriction (VSR) axes. SR is highest both medium five ten years) long term few decades). Zn lowest term. Ge production burdens, mainly as result emissions from smelting subsequent purification recovery leaching residues. VSR at