For one thing, it was a rare and precious metal.
These are commonly found along with copper, gold, silver, and a large amount of other rare metals.
Currently only 2 mines in the world produce the rare metal.
This world could have been colonized to secure rare metals from it.
That statue is made of a very rare metal.
Since they did not suit my needs, I let them pass; but their little worlds offered rare metals and good experience.
The early science teams spent more time in the northern latitudes looking for rare metals.
Now we'll no longer have to import rare metals from Earth!
The same team also produced alternatives to other kinds of rare metals.
Some primary stocks of rare but useful metals are already running low.