just trivial statistics i came across for PGM's. I hope it is readable. A little outdated though but will give an indication of PGM consumption
126
PLATINUM-GROUP METALS
(Platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium)
(Data in kilograms, unless otherwise noted)
1
Domestic Production and Use: Ore containing the platinum-group metals (PGM) was mined, concentrated, and
smelted in Montana, and the resultant PGM matte was exported to Belgium for refining and separation of the individual
PGM. In addition, refined PGM were recovered as byproducts of copper refining by two companies in Texas and Utah.
Secondary metal was refined by about 20 firms, mostly on the east and west coasts. PGM were sold by at least 90
processors and retailers, largely in the Northeast, and were used primarily by the following industries: automotive,
electrical and electronic, chemical, and dental and medical. The automotive, chemical, and petroleum-refining
industries used PGM mainly as catalysts. The other industries used PGM in a variety of ways that took advantage of
their chemical inertness and refractory properties. Domestic mine production of platinum and palladium was valued at
$45 million in 1996.
Salient Statistics-United States: 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
e
Mine production: Platinum 1,650 2,050 1,960 1,590 1,600
2
Palladium 5,440 6,780 6,440 5,260 5,000
Imports for consumption: Refined
Platinum 57,600 57,200 56,500 71,500 70,000
Palladium 61,100 78,900 92,500 124,000 110,000
Rhodium 7,750 7,210 7,820 9,600 10,000
Ruthenium 2,740 4,490 9,880 7,520 20,000
Iridium 207 896 926 1,450 2,000
Osmium 57 130 55 73 600
Exports: Refined
Platinum 12,100 16,100 15,500 15,000 14,000
Palladium 17,700 26,200 29,900 26,000 24,000
Rhodium 834 767 791 741 300
Price, average daily, New York, dollars
per troy ounce:
Platinum 360.90 374.77 411.30 425.36 410.00
Palladium 89.07 122.97 156.20 153.35 135.00
Rhodium 2,465.24 1,137.36 636.00 463.30 330.00
Employment, mine, number 500 400 445 500 500
Recycling: An estimated 60 metric tons of PGM was recovered from new and old scrap in 1996.
Import Sources (1992-95): Platinum: South Africa, 61%; United Kingdom, 10%; Russia, 7%; Germany, 4%; and other,
18%. Palladium: Russia, 36%; South Africa, 25%; United Kingdom, 12%; Belgium, 11%; and other, 16%.
Tariff: All unwrought and semimanufactured PGM can be imported duty free.
Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).
Government Stockpile:
Stockpile Status-9-30-96
Uncommitted Committed Authorized Disposals
Material inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 96
Platinum 14,100 - 311 -
Palladium 39,300 - 467 -
Iridium 920 - - - |
