According to some experts, after the peak is reached, the production rate will slowly decline until it reaches near zero while the price shoots upward. At that point, we will have pretty much mined all the economic ore deposits that are present on the planet.

...controversy and animosity seem to be steadily increasing, quite possibly to the benefit of our precious metals as gold is now resting comfortably above $1,300—the highest level in more than two years as of mid-February.