Global platinum group element resources, reserves and mining - A critical assessment

摘要: The platinum group elements (PGEs) are used in many technologies and products modern society, especially auto-catalysts, chemical process catalysts specialty alloys, yet supply is dominated by South Africa. This leads PGEs to be assessed as 'critical metals', signalling concern about the likelihood consequences of social, environmental economic impacts from disruptions supply. In order better understand global PGE situation, this paper presents a comprehensive assessment reserves resources key mining trends which can affect data shows that have increased 90,733t 2010 105,682t 2015, 16.4% increase - despite production 2243t over period. suggests issues facing sector not geological or resource depletion, but clearly nature highlighted recent social Africa volatile conditions. Concerns reliability implications any disruption will therefore continue see labelled critical metals certainly due depletion.