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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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.
Small Space Returns Can Shift U.S. Dependence
- The U.S. imports nearly all platinum group metals and has less than 1% production.
- Bringing even one metric ton from space would meaningfully reduce U.S. import reliance.
Platinum Reserves Face Tight Timeframes
- At current consumption trends, discovered platinum reserves may be exhausted in ~43 years.
- Recycling helps but only supplies ~20% of market and is technically difficult.
