Roid Rage Mining With Gross Margins: A Concept
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Dec 18, 2025 Dive into the fascinating world of platinum group metals and the complexities of mining them on Earth. Discover the risks tied to South Africa's production and why asteroid mining may be the future. The hosts break down how AstroForge's innovative approach can lead to impressive gross margins by sourcing metals from space. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted take on hypothetical uranium refining and the unique opportunity of space resources. Get ready for a mix of science, finance, and some out-of-this-world humor!
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High Costs Limit U.S. Platinum Production
- Stillwater (U.S.) produces little platinum because deep mining and strict safety raise costs significantly.
- High operating costs and deep shafts (up to ~3,000 m indicated) make U.S. production economically limited.
Co-Located PGMs Change Economic Accounting
- Platinum and palladium often co-occur and are reported as combined '2E/3E' baskets for economics.
- Co-located metals change how refineries allocate costs and affect producer margins.
South Africa Concentrates Global Supply Risk
- South Africa dominates global platinum supply and reserves while the U.S. produces almost nothing.
- Political unrest, labor issues, and grid instability create supply risk for global markets.