Norilsk Nickel, which supplies the car industry with palladium, platinum and rhodium, is looking to expand its operations.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Metals boom sparks Kola nature fears

Rhodium, platinum and palladium are part of the platinum group metals (PGMs), primarily used to manufacture automobile emission control devices.

FORBES: Rhodium Inches Higher on News of Emerging Investment Products

As trends of strengthening global auto production and emissions regulations continue, Honda said, the company anticipates demand for platinum, palladium and rhodium to keep rising in the future.

FORBES: Honda's Reduced Use Of Rhodium Part Of Effort To Shift Away From More-Expensive Metals

Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium and rhodium whose have skyrocketed.

FORBES: Precious Metal Prices Spur Car Thieves

Referring to the lost production in South Africa because of labor unrest this year, he said the lost PGM output could be as high as 1.2 million ounces versus 2011 production, referring to the combination of platinum, palladium and rhodium.

FORBES: Stillwater Mining Earnings Fall On Lower PGM Prices; Retains Output Guidance

Wilburn noted in 1995, 6% of the palladium reserve, 4% of the platinum reserve and 4% of the rhodium reserve came from the Eastern Bushveld.

FORBES: USGS: Sources Of PGMs From South Africa, Russia Likely To Change

Adding to the concern are similar drops in prices for metals such as palladium and rhodium that often mined along with platinum.

FORBES: Analysts: Too Soon For Platinum Tumble To Hurt Output, But 'Something...To Keep An Eye On'

The mine life is projected at more than 20 years and the metal split is 64% platinum, 27% palladium, 5% rhodium and 4% gold, he said.

FORBES: Platinum Group Metals Targets 2013 For South African Mine Start

The annual yearbook on platinum group metals put out by the consultancy CPM Group pegged global rhodium demand in 2011 at 894, 496 ounces, of which 739, 177 was for autos.

FORBES: Honda's Reduced Use Of Rhodium Part Of Effort To Shift Away From More-Expensive Metals