Research Framework
Our Research Intelligence Framework
A systematic, multi-disciplinary approach to precious metals analysis — combining geological science, economic modeling, and geopolitical assessment.
Our Methodology
Every publication in the LSMiner research library undergoes a rigorous multi-stage analytical process. Our methodology integrates primary geological data with secondary economic indicators, trade flow databases, and proprietary modeling frameworks to deliver intelligence that is both academically defensible and practically actionable.
We operate at the intersection of three disciplines: earth sciences (mineralogy, geochemistry, ore deposit geology), commodity economics (supply-demand modeling, price formation theory), and geopolitical risk analysis (country-level mining policy, infrastructure assessments, export control frameworks).
Coverage by Metal
Gold (Au)
Our gold research program covers the complete supply chain: from artisanal and large-scale mine production analysis through to refining capacity, central bank reserve movements, ETF positioning, jewelry demand, and industrial applications. We maintain forward supply models that project mine output by country and company, incorporating grade decline trajectories, brownfield expansion likelihood, and greenfield development pipelines. On the demand side, our proprietary framework tracks net central bank purchases, investment flows, and fabrication demand across 40+ countries.
Silver (Ag)
Silver's dual nature as both a monetary and industrial metal makes it uniquely complex. Our silver research quantifies the evolving demand from photovoltaic cell manufacturing — the fastest-growing demand category — while tracking the countervailing effects of thrifting (reduced silver loading per cell). We model industrial demand across electronics, brazing alloys, and ethylene oxide catalysis, alongside traditional investment and monetary demand. Supply-side analysis covers primary silver mines, polymetallic operations (lead-zinc-silver), and the significant contribution of secondary supply from scrap recycling.
Platinum (Pt)
Platinum research focuses on the unique supply concentration in South Africa's Bushveld Complex and Zimbabwe's Great Dyke — and the systemic risks this creates. We analyze autocatalyst demand in the context of tightening emissions standards globally, while tracking the emerging hydrogen economy as a potential demand inflection point. Our coverage includes detailed assessments of mine-level economics, processing bottlenecks, and the impact of Eskom's electricity reliability on output.
Palladium & PGMs
Our PGM research examines the full platinum group: palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. Palladium coverage focuses on Russian supply dependency, gasoline autocatalyst demand dynamics, and platinum-palladium substitution economics. Rhodium analysis covers its extreme price volatility and the implications for catalytic converter design. We maintain scenario models for supply disruption events and analyze the strategic stockpiling behavior of major consumer nations.
Our Process
Research Process
Data Collection
Aggregation from geological surveys, trade databases, central bank statistics, and primary field research
Geological & Economic Analysis
Multi-disciplinary analysis combining geochemical data with economic modeling and trade flow mapping
Peer Review
Internal review by subject-matter experts followed by methodology verification and data validation
Publication
Final publication with full methodology disclosure, source attribution, and confidence assessments
Data Sources
Our research draws on a wide spectrum of primary and secondary data sources to ensure comprehensive, verifiable intelligence.
Access Our Research Library
Over 1,200 publications across gold, silver, and platinum group metals — available through our tiered access plans.
View Research Plans