Supply and Demand of Base Metals and Rare Metals

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Other Title
  • ベースメタルとレアメタルの需給動向
  • ベースメタル ト レアメタル ノ ジュキュウ ドウコウ

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There are many factors which would be obstacles against stable supply of mineral resources, and unstable supply causes serious disruptions in both the economy and industry. Since supply conditions for each metal are different, it is impossible to simply discuss the reason why shortages occur. For base metals that have a long history of use like copper, iron, lead and zinc, it is relatively easy to clarify their market mechanisms, whereas for most rare metals it is difficult to discuss the relation between supply and demand. In the I.T. (Information Technology) industry, munitions industry and space development, new materials are continuously developed from many rare metals, and market mechanisms are always changed by these new materials. As a result, some rare metals used as high function materials are immediately needed for import. For instance, powdered tantalum has been in short supply as the demand for I.T. products, such as mobile phones and laptop personal computers, increase rapidly. This shortage causes a steep rise in price and the market shifts to speculation. Shortages are the most serious problem in Japan, worse than high prices, because we consume 20-25% of the world's products. Thus, lack of resources affects not only the economy but also technology.<BR>In this paper, conditions of supply and demand of mineral resources were considered in base metals and rare metals.

Journal

  • Shigen-to-Sozai

    Shigen-to-Sozai 120 (9), 535-538, 2004

    The Mining and Materials Processing Institute of Japan

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