A new deposit of rare earth minerals found in Nebraska may reduce the US' dependence on foreign supply of these metals used in many modern gadgets.

US geeks rejoice, a tiny southeastern Nebraska hamlet may be your salvation. A report says that Elk Creek, Neb. may be home to the world’s largest untapped rare earth mineral deposit. These expensive and hard to mine minerals are very important to modern gadgets, and the discovery means less dependance on foreign supplies.
Last week, preliminary test drilling results in Elk Creek by the Canadian Quantum Rare Earths Developments Corp. showed a significant chunk of rare earth minerals as well as niobium according to the Washington Times.
Niobium is a steel strengthener vital to aerospace and automotive industries. For automobile owners, niobium helps keep cars stay light and gas-efficient. The rare earth minerals are important because they are used in many TVs and laptops as well as in tablets, smartphones, laser pointers, disk drives, wind turbines and electric car batteries among other things.

Quantum’s CEO Peter Dickie said, “Without these minerals, our cellphones would be 3 pounds.”
The 112 people in the Nebraska village have been very excited about the boom in their economy due to this recent attention. The potential mining foray would be the first in the country in 10 years.

Rare earth minerals are actually plentiful but spread out, making it not worth the expense of setting up mining operations. What is rare is finding high concentrations worth mining. China currently has a stranglehold on supply with a huge 97% of the market, making many nations heavily dependent on them for the 17 minerals said to be rare earths. The US also gets much of their niobium from Brazil.

Studies actually show that the US has about 13 million metric tons of rare earth minerals. The problem comes from obtaining permits to mine; however, a new bill approved last month by the House Natural Resources Committee aims to ensure a steady supply in case of a normal supply chain breakdown.

Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/huge-rare-earth-minerals-depost-springs-from-tiny-nebraska-hamlet/

Precious Metals - Which one is suitable for you?

Precious Metals - Which one is suitable for you?

Precious Metals occupy an important investment option during festivals and ceremonies. Gold  and Silver are considered the safest and liquid everywhere. There are other precious metals too like Platinum and Palladium. Selection of any of this metal depengs upon budget, time frame for investment, end use or purpose and saftey conditions required to store the same. Keeping huge amount of Gold or Platinum may be risky and keeping it with banks would cost you some amount.

Silver: Silver is priced less comparing to Gold, Palladium and Platinum. Silver is mostly used in Temples, for vessels by rich and royal families. It is even used for making Jewellery Demand for silver is consistently growing.

Gold: One of the rarest and widely used metal, Gold has been shining since old ages and centuries. Gold is used for making jewellery, coins and in religious places. Gold prices have some fluctuations depending upon the demand and supply and any country's financial health is measured by the Gold reserves possessed by it.

Platinum: The rarest metal in world, Platinum is gaining its popularity for making white jewelery. The white shining metal is strong and durable. It is even used for industrial applications and making tools. Platinum rings and chains are in fashion currently and used with real diamonds due to its shining and white colour. Platinum is costlier than Gold and Silver and has less liquid for reselling. It is available at large showrooms and malls and not with small retail jewelers.

Palladium: This is the least popular metal comparing to the other three. Its qualities are like Platinum, however, it is priced lesser than Platinum, and gaining some popularity due to strength and durability.

One can find the prices of metals on internet, as many of the sites and portal provides latest international, domestic and local prices. 

Business of Metal Scrap

Business of Metals Scraps.

Business of Metals and Ores is very huge and millions of persons are engaged in the trade across the world. Even the Business of Metal Scrap is very large and rewarding. Most of the industries has tons of metal waste which they dont directly recycle or use and sell it to the scrap traders. It is in the form of wires, iron ore, waste machine parts, old non working machinery, non working ships, defected metal parts, rail tracks, construction materials, automation tools, hardware items.

Though this business seems  rewarding and easy to start and run, it requires ample amount of cash or bank balances. Usually the transactions for Scraps are without any credit facility and one needs to be ready with payments. There are least chances of funding from banks and VCs for this business.

One needs to be expert for evaluating the values of the of scrap while purchasing and rest sky is the limit. One can discover an opportunity in metal scrap business from simple scrap  trader to large importers or even end producer of finished goods, depending upon expertise, finance, and entrepreneurial capabilities. One can take help of B2b portals, which connects with exporters, importers, traders. Most of the B2b portals provide free as well as paid memberships. EC Ventures is coming up with world's first dedicated portal for Metals.

Gold Prices Shining Due To High Demand.

Gold Prices Shining Due To High Demand.

Demand for Gold is currently more than supply thanks to weak economic data from US, European crisis and uncertain stock and real estate markets. The prices may touch new highs  due to the festival season buying from domestic buyers.

According to World Gold Council's report demand for Gold in India increased by 94 percent in the fist half of 2010.

Domestic buyers of Gold includes customers of Jewellery, coins and bars. Still Gold is considered as safest and most liquid asset compared to stocks and other metals.

Rising Prices of Iron Ore

The prices of Iron Ore are increasing day by day due to the shortage and this has become a major concern for most of the countries buying Iron ore. This is going to impact other sectors and commodities too. Steel Prices are tend to go up due to sharp rise in Iron Ore Prices. Steel is one of the major metal of Consumption and Iron Ore is the main raw material or ingredient for making steel. The rising prices of Iron Ore are going to effect Automobile Industry too, as Steel is one of the main raw material for Automobile Industry.

For the March quarter, average prices of Chinese iron ore fines increased 79% year on year to $136.27 per tonne from $76.13 per tonne. With increasing demand and lack of capacity additions the prices may rise further. The major consuming countries of Iron Ore include United States, India, China, Korea and European Union.

Introduction to Ecmetals.com

After two years of research it has come to our realization and we are proud to introduce you to www.ecmetals.com the portal for your need of metals. Its a B2b marketplace of metal world.

As a member of our portal you will get your own website address. i.e. www.ecmetals.com/yourcompanyname.

Servies:

• Huge database of exporters, importers and manufacturers.


• Business leads posting. Sell and buy


• Your online office to introduce your product, offers and services


• Mailbox


• Contacts


• Catalog Alerts


• Latest information and news about metals.


• Complete company information.


• Sending mails to registered members.


• Product, offers and company search and contact them immediately.


• Send and receive inquiries


• Posting offers

Search bar allows you to find products, offers, companies and contact them easily. 

For further details you can contact us on info@ecmetals.com.