February 2009

Cost Build Up Model for Primary Aluminum Ingot Production

by Stuart Burns on February 27, 2009

Style:    Category: Non-ferrous Metals

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Following yesterday’s article we posted on the cost of electricity in the production of primary aluminum, we thought it would be interesting to review the other elements that go into the cost of manufacture for primary aluminum produced from alumina. As with the electricity costs, rates appear to vary from producer to producer and there [...]

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Stimulation Overload? Now Russia May Buy Metals

by Lisa Reisman on February 27, 2009

Style:    Category: Commodities, Macroeconomics, Supply & Demand

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No strangers to complex solutions (don’t forget the proposed six-way merger for Russian metals producers!), Norilsk Nickel CEO Vladimir Strzhalkovsky and Rusal’s Oleg Deripaska hatched a plan last year that’s receiving serious consideration from the Russian government. After a combined proposal from Norilsk, the largest mining company in Russia, and billionaire Deripaska, the controller of [...]

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Dashing Through the Snow on a¦ Porsche Sled

by Lisa Reisman on February 27, 2009

Style:    Category: Metal Fabricated Parts, Non-ferrous Metals

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If you enjoy the speed of a downward slope of snow, why not heighten your chill thrill with a cool sled? The Porsche Design sled features a lightweight aluminum frame with stainless steel runners and a durable waterproof seat made from imitation leather. A ride on this high-stylin’ and performing sled will, to borrow one [...]

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Power Costs in the Production of Primary Aluminum

by Stuart Burns on February 26, 2009

Style:    Category: Non-ferrous Metals

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Since the aluminum price on the LME dropped below $1500/ton it has been repeatedly stated that some 60-70% of aluminum smelters are losing money. Electricity alone is generally accepted as representing about a third of the cost of aluminum ingot, although at what sales price that metric is judged is open to debate. We thought [...]

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Bullish Signs, The Fear Index, Looking For Bottom

by Lisa Reisman on February 26, 2009

Style:    Category: Commodities, Macroeconomics

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Rules to live by: enjoy the company of a cynic but by golly don’t marry one! Luckily for me, I’m married to an eternal optimist who sees life as the glass half full (provided it’s full of either Lafite-Rothschild or Chimay) but I digress. As an admitted Facebook user, the CEO of an online manufacturing [...]

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Copper Sells for $116,000 Per Ounce?!

by Lisa Reisman on February 26, 2009

Style:    Category: Macroeconomics

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Copper hit a one-week peak yesterday, but the $1.5245 per pound figures on COMEX have nothing on a recent copper sale. Although it’s true that Wednesday’s session marked copper’s highest level since February 17, some loyal eBayers noticed an even greater advance for the red metal last week. One small, copper penny sold for $14,533. Weighing a little over three [...]

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A Way Out of Our Economic Woes

by Lisa Reisman on February 25, 2009

Style:    Category: Global Trade

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Every six months I like to put an outrageous idea to paper (or ether or whatever this space is called on the Internet). Last summer, I suggested the airlines should move to a bulk freight model as a means of saving on fuel costs. Of course I managed to offend the tens of people that [...]

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A Metallic Sculpture Tour-de-Force

by Lisa Reisman on February 25, 2009

Style:    Category: Metal Fabricated Parts

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  Design, inspiration and technology blog Toxel.com has compiled a wanderlust of Beautiful and Creative Metal Sculptures. From insects to monumental figures in popular culture, the artistry is awe-inspiring. ” Nate Burgos

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