Mineral Resource Depletion: A Coming Age of Stockpiling?

Bardi, Ugo, Jakobi, Rolf and Hettiarachchi, Hiroshan, (2016). Mineral Resource Depletion: A Coming Age of Stockpiling?. BioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality, 1(1), 1-9

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Bardi, Ugo
    Jakobi, Rolf
    Hettiarachchi, Hiroshan
    Title Mineral Resource Depletion: A Coming Age of Stockpiling?
    Appearing in BioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality
    Volume 1
    Issue No. 1
    Publication Date 2016
    Place of Publication Switzerland
    Publisher Springer International Publishing
    Start page 1
    End page 9
    Language eng
    Abstract The gradual depletion of low cost (or “high grade”) mineral ores is generating increasing extractive costs and diminishing economic returns. The market reacts to this situation either with high prices, which depress demand, or with very low prices (as it is happening at present) that reduce or eliminate profits for the extractive industry, which is forced to reduce production. As a consequence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage the remaining mineral resources in such a way to ensure a sufficient supply for the economy and to avoid price shocks originated by the vagaries of the market or by social or strategic conflicts. This is particularly important for critical and rare metals, such as those needed by the electronic industry and for vital tasks such as the conversion and the transmission of electrical energy produced by renewable (e.g. photovoltaic) plants. One possible reaction to these problems is stockpiling, that is keeping mineral resources stored above ground and readily available in order to provide a buffer against price and supply shocks. The present paper discusses several ways in which the market of mineral resources could evolve, in particular the concept of a “metal bank” that could be used to manage the supply of rare and sensitive minerals.
    Keyword Mineral depletion
    Mineral commodities
    Rare minerals
    Mineral stockpiling
    Metal bank
    Copyright Holder Springer International Publishing
    Copyright Year 2016
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISSN 23660112
    DOI 10.1007/s41247-016-0004-x
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    Created: Mon, 06 Jun 2016, 17:44:23 JST by Claudia Matthias on behalf of UNU FLORES