Metal Shortage Myths

When you say (and you're likely just quoting the opriginal author) "metals and minerals are part of the periodic (sic) table...they will always be available to us". So aren't Francium, Technetium, Lawrencium, etc part of the Periodic Table. Seen any for sale, or prices, lately?

If I grab up all of the aluminum of the world, then you would be experiencing a shortage of aluminum.

It appears that metallurgists are like economists! Get more than one and you get a lot more than one opinion. Reading all, I believe that there are likely to be shortages and that will stimulate recycling. But always at a price.

Supply and demand is the key to the price of any commodity. once a cartel is formed it is easy to regulate the price by cutting production. There is always a rogue supplier who might spoil this arrangement.

This does not seem to be a problem these days, as demonstrated by the oil companies.

If you want to make maximum profits, simply arrange to have one third of the worlds oil reserves confiscated. especially if that area was under the control of someone who was not liked.

Once we find a way of turning CO2 back into CO + H2, in order that it can be

re used, as fuel. everything will be fine.

GF

I have been through a couple of shortages while working large scale construction (wafer fab).

Often it is a simple shortage. We are consuming at a rate equal to or greater than the mills can produce.

Then there is the one that really burns me; outsourcing. In my industry the quality of the metal/alloy is so important that it can adversely effect numerous areas of the factory for its lifetime. There were no DOMESTIC (or not enough) suppliers that had the quality methods and practices working that we required. As a result, an ordinary supply shortage further forces customers to accept substandard goods!