Until now, sea shore phosphorite deposits have been rejected as economical sources of P2OS . It seems 

 debatable whether submarine phosphorite can be mined economically in close competition with land 

 deposits. However for coastal areas such as California and Chile that do not have land deposits those 

 offshore should be valuable. The critical question, as always with low value deposits, is not whether 

 submarine phosphate can be produced for the world market but whether it can compete with world 

 sources in the local market.^ " 



PLATINfUM GROUP METALS 



Uses. Metals of the platinum group include platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium, and 

 ruthenium. All these metals are essential in modem industry and are among the strategic and critical 

 materials held in the national stockpile. The uses of platinum and its alloys are based on their resistance 

 to corrosion, heat, and oxidation; electrical conductivity; and superior catalytic properties. Major uses 

 include catalysts in the production of high-octane gasoline and various chemicals such as sulphuric acid; 

 and alloys for jewelry, dentistry, and electrical apparatus. Platinum is also used in laboratory apparatus 

 and ware, in equipment used in the manufacture of glass and synthetic fibers, and in certain deUcate 

 sensing instruments. Palladium has uses similar to platinum and is also used in electrical contacts and in 

 nonmagnetic watches. The other metals of this group are used principally to improve the hardness and 

 other properties of platinum and palladium. Osmium and ruthenium are used in hard alloys for fountain 

 pen tips, phonograph needles, and fine machine bearings. 



Present levels of utilization of platinum group metals in troy ounces. 



World (1966 production) 2,950,000 



United States (1966 sales to consuming industries) 1,675,795 



Ranges of demand projections to the year 2000. 



Prospective supplies and prices. U.S. resources are virtually nil; most of the platinum group metals 

 produced to date in the United States were by-products of gold placer mining. 



World resources are mostly in the U.S.S.R. and South Africa. They are relatively large and probably 

 adequate for many years of production at or near current amounts and price levels. Adequate future 

 supply and price stability will depend on rapid expansion of production and consistent marketing prices. 

 However many problems must be overcome if output is to be significantly increased over present levels. 

 Restriction of major resources to a few areas in the world is a significant factor in the development of 

 this group of special-use metals. 



V. E. McKelvey and Livingston Chase, "Selecting Areas Favorable for Subsea Prospecting," in Exploiting the 

 Ocean (Washington, D.C.: Marine Technology Society, 1966). 



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