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87% of rhodium mining production in 2006 was used by the automotive industry in catalytic converters.

Platinum, also used as a catalyst in emission converters, can be substituted with palladium, except in diesel engines, whereas the unique properties of rhodium allow for no substitute.

Thieves are beginning to realize the value of the precious metals in automotive catalytic converter exhaust systems.

On average exhausts, which in most cases are easily removed from underneath vehicles with a metal
saw, contain about US$200 worth of platinum, palladium and rhodium.

The small amounts of these metals remain unaltered throughout the life of the exhaust system and are not difficult to recover.

Platinum production for 2006 was around 225 tons and presently trades around $1450 an ounce. Rhodium, a by-product of platinum mining, trades at circa $6750 an oz. with 2006 global production at only 30 tons.