Platinum production in 1918 Page 59



	PLATINUM AND ALLIED METALS.	203

	STOCKS OF PLATINUM METALS. Refiners and dealers in platinum metals reported stocks of 64,814 ounces on December 31, 1918. More than half of this quantity was in manufactured articles. Stocks of platinum metals on hand December 81, 1918, in troy ounces.



	WORLD'S PRODUCTION. Statistics of the world's production of platinum and allied metals are at best estimates, though they are derived from the most reliable information obtainable. There are no reliable data upon which to base estimates of the production of platinum in Russia. In fact it seems doubtful whether any platinum was mined in that country in 1918, as much of the fighting during the later part of the year was in the vicinity of the platinum fields. Estimated world's production of crude platinum, 1911-1918, in troy ounces.



	The imports of platinum and allied metals for consumption in 1918 as given by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce were larger than for 1917. The figures in the table below, however, are somewhat misleading, as they include the 21,000 ounces of platinum from Russia which reached the United States late in 1917. Platinum and allied metals imported for consumption in the United States, 1917 and 1918.