Broader Perspectives

You have free access to this content

Estimates of te and in prices from direct mining of known ores

  1. Martin A. Green*

Article first published online: 14 MAY 2009

DOI: 10.1002/pip.899

Issue

Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

Volume 17, Issue 5, pages 347–359, August 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Green, M. A. (2009), Estimates of te and in prices from direct mining of known ores. Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl., 17: 347–359. doi: 10.1002/pip.899

Author Information

  1. ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence, University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia 2052, Australia

*ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence, University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia 2052, Australia.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 JUN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 14 MAY 2009
  3. Manuscript Revised: 28 FEB 2009
  4. Manuscript Received: 24 NOV 2008

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (217K)

Keywords:

  • tellurium;
  • indium;
  • resource availability

Abstract

Previous estimates of Te and In availability for large scale use in photovoltaics have been based on considerations such as present refining capacities or on reserves calculated from the concentration of these metals in their respective Cu and Zn primary ores. The present work considers the pricing required to support direct mining of these scarce metals from ores of presently known quality. By deriving a general relationship between the market price of metals and the quality of ores from which they are mined, estimates of the market price of Te and In if mined from available ores are obtained. This allows specification of ore grades required for economic photovoltaic exploitation. Known ore deposits meeting requirements are also surveyed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Get PDF (217K)