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#           Platinum-Group Metals Statistics and Information      

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Statistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodities *iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium (platinum-group metals)*

Naturally occurring platinum and platinum-rich alloys have been known for a long time.  The Spaniards named the metal "platina," or little silver, when they first encountered it in Colombia.  They regarded platinum as an unwanted impurity in the silver they were mining.

The catalytic properties of the six platinum group metals (PGM)– iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium – are outstanding.  Platinum's wear and tarnish resistance characteristics are well suited for making fine jewelry.   Other distinctive properties include resistance to chemical attack, excellent high-temperature characteristics, and stable electrical properties.   All these properties have been exploited for industrial applications.   Platinum, platinum alloys, and iridium are used as crucible materials for the growth of single crystals, especially oxides.  The chemical industry uses a significant amount of either platinum or a platinum-rhodium alloy catalyst in the form of gauze to catalyze the partial oxidation of ammonia to yield nitric oxide, which is the raw material for fertilizers, explosives, and nitric acid.   In recent years, a number of PGM have become important as catalysts in synthetic organic chemistry.  Ruthenium dioxide is used as coatings on dimensionally stable titanium anodes used in the production of chlorine and caustic.   Platinum supported catalysts are used in the refining of crude oil, reforming, and other processes used in the production of high-octane gasoline and aromatic compounds for the petrochemical industry.  Since 1979, the automotive industry has emerged as the principal consumer of PGM.  Palladium, platinum, and rhodium have been used as oxidation catalyst in catalytic converters to treat automobile exhaust emissions.  A wide range of PGM alloy compositions is used in low-voltage and low-energy contacts, thick- and thin-film circuits, thermocouples and furnace components, and electrodes.

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### **Monthly Publications**

Mineral Industry Surveys
                            - Platinum-Group Metals    PDF Format:      2024: |  Jan  |  Feb  |  Mar  |  Apr  |  May  |  Jun  |  **Jul**  |      2023:  |  Jul  |  Aug  |  Sep  |  Oct  |  Nov  |  Dec  |    XLSX Format:      2024: |  Jan  |  Feb  |  Mar  |  Apr  |  May  |  Jun  |  **Jul**  |      2023:  |  Jul  |  Aug  |  Sep  |  Oct  |  Nov  |  Dec  |
                            - Annual Publications

Mineral Commodity Summaries
                            - Platinum-Group Metals    PDF Format:       |  1996  |  1997  |  1998  |  1999  |  2000  |  2001  |  2002  |  2003  |  2004  |  2005  |  2006  |  2007  |  2008  |  2009  |  2010  |  2011  |  2012  | 2013  | 2014  | 2015  | 2016  | 2017  | 2018  |  2019  |  2020  |  2021  |  2022  |  2023  |  **2024**  |
                            - Appendixes

Minerals Yearbook
                            - Platinum-Group Metals    PDF Format:       |  1994  |  1995  |  1996  |  1997  |  1998  |  1999  |  2000  |  2001  |  2002  |  2003  |  2004  |  2005  |  2006  |  2007  |  2008  |  2009  |  2010  |  2011  |  2012  |  2013  |  2014  |  2015  |  2016  |  2017  |  2018  |  **2019**  |    XLS Format:       |  2002  |  2003  |  2004  |  2005  |  2006  |  2007  |  2008  |  2009  |  2010  |  2011  |  2012  |  2013  |  2014  |  2015  |  2016  |  2017  |  2018  |  **2019**   |  2020 tables-only release  |  2021 tables-only release  |  **2022 tables-only release**  |
                            - Archive       |  1932-1993  |
                            - Recycling-Metals

### **Special Publications**

                            - Critical Mineral Resources of the United States--Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply  Professional Paper 1802                               - Platinum-group elements 
                            - Critical Minerals Review 2021
                            - Flow Studies for Recycling Metal Commodities in the United States  C-1196-A-M
                            - Global Exploration and Production Capacity for Platinum-Group Metals from 1995 Through 2015  Scientific Investigations Report 2012â€“5164
                            - Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in the United States  Data Series 140                               - Platinum-Group Metals 
                            - International Mineral Exploration Activities From 1995 Through 2004  Data Series 139
                            - Metal Prices in the United States through 2010  Scientific Investigations Report 2012-5188
                            - Platinum-Group Elements in Southern Africa--Mineral Inventory and an Assessment of Undiscovered Mineral Resources  Scientific Investigations Report 2010â€“5090â€“Q
                            - Platinum-Group Elements--So Many Excellent Properties  Fact Sheet 2014-3064
                            - Platinum-Group Metals—World Supply and Demand  Open-File Report 2004-1224
                            - Recent Strikes in South Africa's Platinum-Group Metals Mines—Effects Upon World PGM Supplies  Open-File Report 2012-1273
                            - Review of selected global mineral industries in 2011 and an outlook to 2017   Open-File Report 2013-1091
                            - Statistical Compendium                                - Platinum-Group Metals 

### Contacts

#### Ruth F Schulte

##### Mineral Commodity Specialist

National Minerals Information Center

rschulte@usgs.gov

703-648-4963