Classification, Distribution and Uses of Ores and Ore Deposits - Metals and Society: An Introduction to Economic Geology - page 40

Fig. 2.2 (continued)

then there would be a global crisis of supply of these metals. It is for partly these
reasons that platinum has the highest criticality index of all metals evaluated by the
US Geological Survey (Box 1.1). What would be the consequences a global crisis?
In the short term, the metal price would skyrocket and the cost of producing cars
and other products that use the metals would increase; in some cases production
might stop, if insufficient supplies could not be found. On the longer term, however,