Assessing the supply potential of high-tech metals – A general method

Max Frenzel, Raimon Tolosana-Delgado and Jens Gutzmer

Resources Policy, 2015, vol. 46, issue P2, 45-58

Abstract: The demand for some of the rarer elements in the Earth's crust, mostly from high-tech applications, is increasing rapidly. Many of these elements are produced exclusively as by-products resulting in potentially significant supply limitations. In this article, a general method for the assessment of the supply potential of such elements is developed from a conceptual model of the supply-chain. Namely, statistical and deterministic models are introduced to quantify both the variability in by-product concentrations in the relevant raw materials, as well as the effects of this variability on achievable recoveries. The assessment of uncertainties is implemented via Monte-Carlo-type simulations. Presentation of the results in availability curves ensures adaptability to future changes in market conditions, while extensive documentation of the assessment method, available as electronic supplementary material with this article, ensures reproducibility.

Keywords: Electronic metals; Availability; By-products; Germanium; Reserves; Resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:46:y:2015:i:p2:p:45-58

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2015.08.002

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