Metals
Finding Sources Of Rare Earths Beyond China (Part 2)
June 5, 2012 12:35 pm | by H. Sterling Burnett, Senior Fellow, National Center for Policy Analysis | Articles | CommentsThe rare earth deposits in these inaccessible areas should be inventoried and, where potential commercial quantities are found, with appropriate environmental safeguards, opened for bids on leases. Furthermore, the regulatory approval process should be streamlined, simplified and shortened. In Australia and Canada, approval of new mines take two years on average, but in the United States, the same process takes 10 years on average.
Finding Sources Of Rare Earths Beyond China (Part 1)
June 4, 2012 12:58 pm | by H. Sterling Burnett, Senior Fellow, National Center for Policy Analysis | Blogs | CommentsKey components of most modern electronics and green energy technologies, as well as defense systems, are made from a small number of elements and critical metals called rare earths. Indeed, rare earth elements are the basis for much of modern technology due to a range of relatively unique properties. From lighting to lasers, magnets to X-ray units, glass tints to electronics, these “rare” minerals are ubiquitous in modern technology.
Casting Process Could Transform How Metal Parts Are Made
May 29, 2012 12:40 pm | Articles | CommentsA Georgia Tech research team has developed a novel technology that enables cost-effective manufacturing procedures after a metal part moves to mass production.
China Challenges U.S. Trade Penalties
May 25, 2012 9:10 am | News | CommentsChina filed WTO cases challenging U.S. anti-subsidy tariffs on 22 Chinese goods including steel, widening a conflict between the two trading partners.
RG Steel Idling Operations In Md., Ohio, W. Va.
May 24, 2012 12:15 pm | by Alex Dominguez, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Sparrows Point plant, near Baltimore, has about 2,000 employees alone, and employees have been warned of "a lot" of layoffs.
ArcelorMittal's Kazakh Workers Demand Pay Hike
May 21, 2012 8:49 am | News | CommentsWorkers at a Kazakhstan plant owned by Luxembourg-based steel giant ArcelorMittal have held a demonstration to demand higher salaries.
Nucor Buying ArcelorMittal Unit For $605M
May 18, 2012 10:52 am | News | CommentsNucor plans to buy a steel distribution unit of ArcelorMittal for $605 million, expanding its reach in the North American construction industry.
Alcoa Starts Expansion Of Indiana Facility
May 18, 2012 9:04 am | News | CommentsCompany held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the new aluminum lithium operation that is expected to begin production in 2014.
Asteroid Mines: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
May 15, 2012 9:53 am | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | Articles | CommentsWhile I’m sure science fiction enthusiasms are in their backgrounds, their main motivation is to make more of what they have a lot of already -- money.
Firm Seeks To Operate Rare Earth Mine In NE Wyo.
May 11, 2012 9:40 am | by Laura Hancock, Gillette News Record | News | CommentsRare Element Resources promises high-wage jobs and economic vitality, but longtime ranchers worry about traffic, water quality and a change of the pace of life.
Glencore Sees 'Healthy' Demand For Raw Materials
May 9, 2012 9:19 am | by John Heilprin, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe company is expected to face calls during its first shareholder meeting for more transparency on its deals in resource-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Hopeful Manufacturing News Pushes Up Copper
May 4, 2012 9:58 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsCopper prices for May delivery climbed 6.5 cents to $3.84 per pound, while gold, silver and palladium all fell.
German Metal Workers Called To Strike Over Pay
May 2, 2012 9:20 am | News | CommentsThe IG Metall union says some 800 workers at a Daimler AG auto plant went on strike because they want a 6.5 percent raise.
Walter Energy Creating 530 Jobs In Alabama
May 1, 2012 3:01 pm | by Phillip Rawls, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe CEO said the $1.2 billion expansion was influenced by a decision to extend Alabama's tax incentives for new industries.
MSHA Orders End To Use Of Defective Air Packs
April 27, 2012 1:48 pm | by Vicki Smith, Associated Press | News | CommentsAbout 66,000 of the potentially defective air packs, manufactured by CSE Corp., did not recycle oxygen fast enough to help endangered miners.
Manufacturer Going Injury Free Thanks, In Part, To Popsicles
April 25, 2012 12:18 pm | News | CommentsIn a job where employees deal with heavy, hot molten iron, there is undoubtedly added dangers, but Bremen Casting is seeing a dramatic decrease in injuries thanks to the added safety measures put into place.
U.S. Steel Industry In Slow Recovery
April 25, 2012 9:07 am | by Sandy Shore, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsSteel makers bounced back in the first quarter, but shipments and sales continue to lag pre-recession levels.
Company Unveils Plan To Mine Asteroids For Riches
April 24, 2012 2:19 pm | by Donna Blankinship and Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsTwo Google executives and filmmaker James Cameron plan on sending space-ready robots to extract gold and platinum from asteroids within 10 years.
Report: Global Metals Production Recovers
April 19, 2012 10:14 am | News | CommentsThe global production of key metals increased more than 14 percent in 2010 marking a robust recovery from the sharp decline spurred by the 2009 global recession.
Rare Earth Plant In Malaysia Nearly Ready To Go
April 19, 2012 9:33 am | by Eileen Ng, Associated Press | News | CommentsMalaysia granted Lynas a two-year license to operate the first rare earths plant outside China in years, but regulators might keep plans at bay.
Factory Output Drops After 3 Months Of Gains
April 17, 2012 9:38 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsFactory production dropped 0.2 percent in March, but manufacturing output still rose at an annual rate of 10.4 percent for the first three months of this year.
Aluminum Plant Manager Pleads Guilty To Environmental Charges
April 4, 2012 9:11 am | News | CommentsA former manager at a southern Kentucky aluminum production plant has pleaded guilty in federal court to environmental charges.
W.Va. Gov. OKs Tax Aid To Reopen Aluminum Plant
April 3, 2012 9:51 am | by Lawrence Messina, Associated Press | News | CommentsHoping to restore hundreds of manufacturing jobs, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin came up with a plan to make the Century Aluminum plant more competitive.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Chief Resigns
March 30, 2012 9:00 am | News | CommentsBHP Billiton's iron ore president, who earlier this month sparked a sell-off in global stock markets with gloomy comments on China's economy, is resigning.
Mitsubishi Buys Into Mont. Company's Canada Mine
March 29, 2012 9:14 am | News | CommentsStillwater Mining Co. of Billings says the partnership with Mitsubishi will help finance an open-pit mine near Marathon, Ontario.
