Platinum: An Invaluable Earth Resource The advent of the Industrial Revolution sparked worldwide large-scale use of minerals in the mid 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as continued growth during the next several hundred years. Over a period of 150 years from 1750-1900, global mineral use saw an increase of roughly 1000 percent while the world population merely doubled. Since 1900, mineral production has increased roughly 1300 percent (Young 6), and the world has become completely dependent upon the various uses of limited mineral resources. One mineral which has provided numerous uses for several diverse industrial markets is the valuable metal platinum (Pt).Platinum is the most well known and widely used member of the six platinum metals of Group VIII, Period 6, of the periodic table. In order of increasing atomic weight, the platinum group metals are ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), and the focus metal, platinum (Pt). Excluding osmium, all the aforementioned elements are silvery white in color.According to historical record, gold artifacts containing platinum have been dated to approximately 700 BC; however, the presence of platinum in these materials was most likely accidental, or unknown. Similarly, 16th century Jesuits made reference to unidentified metallic pebbles contained within gold bars, making them brittle and hard to refine. These pebbles were most likely platinum based metals. Despite early sightings of platinum group metals, the pure, malleable platinum known and used today was not discovered until 1789 by French physicist P.F. Chabaneau. Upon its discovery, Chabaneau felt it worthy to present before Pope Pius VI in the form of a chalice, or trophy.Geographic distribution of platinum is quite limited and appears in large quantities in a select few sites. The largest known deposit of platinum is found in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa, a country well known for its exq...
