#MetalSupply #MetalProduction #MetalUsage
Metal is an essential element that has been used by humans for thousands of years. From ancient tools and weapons to modern technology and infrastructure, metal plays a crucial role in our daily lives. With millions of cars, planes, rebar, jewelry, bullets, boats, phones, wires, and various other products being made from metal, it’s natural to wonder how we have not run out of this valuable resource yet.
🔍 Understanding Metal Supply and Production
1. Mining and Extraction
– Explain the process of extracting metal from the earth’s crust
– Different methods of mining, such as open-pit and underground mining
– Environmental impact of mining on the metal supply
2. Recycling and Repurposing
– Importance of metal recycling in conserving resources
– The role of scrap yards and recycling facilities in the metal supply chain
– How recycled metal is used in various industries
3. Alternative Sources
– Overview of alternative methods for obtaining metal, such as urban mining and ocean floor mining
– Exploration of new technologies for metal production, including bioleaching and phytomining
– The potential impact of these alternative sources on future metal supply
💡 Factors Contributing to Sustainability
1. Technological Advancements
– Discuss how advancements in mining technology have made it possible to extract metal more efficiently
– The role of innovation in reducing the environmental impact of metal production
– Examples of cutting-edge technologies being used in the metal industry
2. Global Metal Demand
– Analysis of the increasing demand for metal due to population growth and urbanization
– The impact of industrialization and infrastructure development on metal consumption
– Projected future demand for metal and its implications on supply
3. Circular Economy and Resource Management
– Explanation of the concept of a circular economy in relation to metal supply
– The importance of sustainable resource management and responsible consumption
– Strategies for reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable approach to metal usage
📈 Projections for the Future
1. Metal Reserves and Depletion
– Overview of current global metal reserves and their estimated lifespan
– Analysis of the risk of depleting certain metal resources in the near future
– The potential impact of metal scarcity on various industries and the economy
2. Environmental Concerns
– Examination of the environmental consequences of excessive metal extraction and consumption
– The role of climate change and resource depletion in shaping future metal production
– Efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of the metal industry
3. Innovations and Solutions
– Highlighting innovative solutions for sustainable metal production and usage
– The potential for alternative materials and technologies to reduce reliance on traditional metal sources
– The importance of collaborative efforts between industry, government, and consumers to address metal supply challenges
In conclusion, while concerns about running out of metal are valid, the combination of technological advancements, recycling efforts, and emerging alternative sources offers hope for a sustainable metal supply. However, it is crucial for us to acknowledge the potential risks and take proactive measures to ensure responsible metal usage and conservation for future generations. So, to answer the question “how have we not run out of metal yet?” – it’s a combination of factors, including mining, recycling, and technological advancements, that have contributed to the continuous availability of this valuable resource. As we look to the future, it is essential to prioritize sustainable practices and innovation to safeguard the long-term stability of the metal supply.
There is lots of metal in the ground and we keep digging it up.
Also used metal can somewhat easily be reused (compared to other materials)
We have roughly 80 billion metric tons of iron ore in deposits, and over the last 15 years that actually increased because we discovered more deposits than we mined. Per year we mine about 2.5 billion tons, so if we discover no more iron we’d run out in less than 40 years (but it slows down as recycling rate increases)
By mass there’s more iron on earth than pretty much any other element (though a lot is in the core). In the crust, aluminium/aluminum is the most abundant element followed by iron, oxygen and calcium…so there’s plenty of the most commonly used metals.
Apart from spaceships etc everything that was ever on earth is still on earth. Scarcity is typically down to cost of extraction as opposed to actual scarcity.
Realistically – we will never run out of anything on earth.
There’s 1.4 x 10 to the power 21 tonnes of iron in the earth’s crust. If we can access 1 millionth of this, we can mine another 1000 billion tonnes.
There’s a lot of them.
Especially iron and aluminum, which are both in the top 5 of the most abundant elements on Earth.
But we also recycle much of what is being used, and pretty much all scrap from metal-working factories ends up melted and reused. Metals are very easily recycled.
Musicians are talented and can make unique metal songs. Cars planes etc. don’t affect the metal songs
Steel and aluminum are some of the most recyclable materials available. Not running anytime soon.
These things might seem like it would use a lot of metal, but they are much smaller in volume than you would think. Imagine a car completely crushed flat. That’s essentially how much metal in volume is used for a car.
We’re actually far closer to running out of coke quality coal for steel production than we are running short of iron for said production.
Something I don’t think many people realize is that we’re living in the *steel age*. It’s everywhere, it’s ubiquitous, and we’re inescapably dependant on it. Yet there’s a very real risk that at some point in the coming century production may wane. If we don’t find suitable alternatives it could cause problems with our global economy.
This is an example of what I mean when I say “even if everything goes right this century, we *still* have major issues to deal with.” Yet we *still* have people arguing over ACC legitimacy, or whether or not it should be permissible to be gay.
We have real adult problems, and we’re collectively still behaving like children. It’s really depressing.
Edit: Anthropogenic Climate Change
The only issue we reasonably face is the consumption of copper vs the production capacity. Not the reserves of ore, there’s reasonably decades of known deposits. But the smelting capacity is what limits production. A new copper smelter is an incredibly expensive thing to build and repays the investment very slowly. I know there was some concern at the log rhythmical growth in demand from BRICs economies causing a squeeze at some point.
If the Earth is an apple, human activity in terms of volume is around a tenth of the thickeness of the apple’s skin.
With all the metals that are in the ground we might just dig forever and never run out of metals. (at least the common ones like iron)
Earth is big.
Really, really big.
You wouldn’t believe how big the Earth is. If you think it’s far walking to the corner store, that’s peanuts compared to Earth.
Metal is classic at this point; newer generations will always be playing Metallica and Slayer on their guitars, drums and basses. We won’t run out of metal in a few lifetimes.
If you speak French because unfortunately the video has no English subtitles, you should watch [Aurore Stephant talk regarding mining in the next century](https://youtu.be/i8RMX8ODWQs?si=xqdT5S5dkVJI6xu1)
Basically, [in 2018, to follow the demand, we should extract until 2050 more than what had been extracted since Antiquity](https://youtube.com/shorts/Q9UIV2fVOH0?si=8bu6FWJO_hb1P4bM)
Good luck everyone
There is an entire planet under our feet. You might think it’s only one planet, but the damn thing is big. There is enough planet for each and every person in the world to have 139 cubic kilometers of it. If you took your part of the planet and had it as a cube the side length would be 5.2km, and much of that volume is various metals. How much of that available metal are you personally actually using and how much of it is still in the ground? We are quite literally just scratching the surface.