 Platinum is a member of the platinum group of elements and group 10 of the periodic table of elements . It has six naturally occurring isotopes . It is one of the rarer elements in Earth 's crust with an average abundance of approximately 5 μg / kg . It occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with some native deposits , mostly in South Africa , which accounts for 80 % of the world production . Because of its scarcity in Earth 's crust , only a few hundred tonnes are produced annually , and given its important uses , it is highly valuable and is a major precious metal commodity . 
