Peak Metals

If Americans get around to worrying less and rope the moon, we’ll need it.

Metals and minerals are being used up.

Antimony, 15 – 20 years.
Hafnium, 10 years.
Indium, 5 – 10 years.
Platinum, 15 years.
Silver, 15 – 20 years.
Tantalum, 20 – 30 years.
Uranium, 30 – 40 years.
Zinc, 20 – 30 years.

Years Remaining:

Years

Tons

Uses

Germanium

5

500,000

semiconductors, solar-cells

Indium

13

6,000

solar-cells and monitors

Arsenic

20

1,000,000

semiconductors, solar-cells

Hafnium

20

1,124

computer-chips, nuclear

Silver

29

569,000

jewelery, industrial-catalysts

Antimony

30

3,860,000

pharmaceuticals and catalysts

Tin

40

11,200,000

cans, solder

Lead

42

1,440,000

pipes and lead-acid batteries

Gold

45

89,700

jewelry, electronics

Zinc

46

460,000,000

galvanizing

Uranium

59

3,300,000

nuclear power and weapons

Copper

61

9,037,000

wires, coins, plumbing

Thallium

65

650, 000

superconductors, reagents

Cadmium

70

1,600,000

batteries

Nickel

90

1,430,000

batteries, turbine-blades

Tantalum

116

153, 000

cell-phones, camera-lenses

Selenium

120

170,000

semiconductors, solar-cells

Chromium

143

7,790,000

chrome plating

Phosphorus

345

49,750,000

fertilizer, animal feed

Platinum

360

79,840

jewelery, fuel, pollution

Aluminum

1027

32,350,000

transport, electrical, consumer