Comments on: To Stockpile or Not to Stockpile that is the Rare Earth Question http://agmetalminer.com/2009/10/21/to-stockpile-or-not-to-stockpile-that-is-the-rare-earth-question/ Sourcing & Trading Intelligence for Global Metals Markets Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:20 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Talk of Metal Stockpiling †Irrational Concern or Sound Strategy? http://agmetalminer.com/2009/10/21/to-stockpile-or-not-to-stockpile-that-is-the-rare-earth-question/comment-page-1/#comment-23630 Talk of Metal Stockpiling †Irrational Concern or Sound Strategy? Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:02:09 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/?p=1699#comment-23630 [...] additional arguments exist against stockpiling that we have discussed previously in a post about rare earth metal stockpiling in particular. The general case against stockpiling centers on three if not four [...] [...] additional arguments exist against stockpiling that we have discussed previously in a post about rare earth metal stockpiling in particular. The general case against stockpiling centers on three if not four [...]

]]> By: The Critical & Strategic Metals Shindig | Terra Magnetica http://agmetalminer.com/2009/10/21/to-stockpile-or-not-to-stockpile-that-is-the-rare-earth-question/comment-page-1/#comment-18884 The Critical & Strategic Metals Shindig | Terra Magnetica Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:33:56 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/?p=1699#comment-18884 [...] To Stockpile or Not to Stockpile that is the Rare Earth Question [...] [...] To Stockpile or Not to Stockpile that is the Rare Earth Question [...]

]]> By: Ian Falconer http://agmetalminer.com/2009/10/21/to-stockpile-or-not-to-stockpile-that-is-the-rare-earth-question/comment-page-1/#comment-18785 Ian Falconer Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:32:37 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/?p=1699#comment-18785 There is an alternative to stockpiling in material flow analysis and recycling. Know where the metal is through its life cycle and you can incentivise its return to a recycling pool with targeted actions. For example if you are in the tantalum supply chain sponsor a mobile phone handset return drive and pay everyone $5 for the handset that they have had in their draw for the last year, but never used. The metal is then still economically active and not as subject to degradation as it may be in a refined form. Of course this assumes that the metal you need is has an efficient recycling technology available. Some currently don't. There is an alternative to stockpiling in material flow analysis and recycling. Know where the metal is through its life cycle and you can incentivise its return to a recycling pool with targeted actions.
For example if you are in the tantalum supply chain sponsor a mobile phone handset return drive and pay everyone $5 for the handset that they have had in their draw for the last year, but never used.

The metal is then still economically active and not as subject to degradation as it may be in a refined form.

Of course this assumes that the metal you need is has an efficient recycling technology available. Some currently don’t.

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