A World of Wealth and Humanity’s Keys to the Future
www.AssetStrategies.com
[email protected]
About Us
Real Asset LLC (RAL), along with their
trading, supply, storage and vault partners
in Switzerland, and Asset Strategies
International (ASI), provide a global asset
protection service focusing on the use of
Rare Strategic Metals, Base Metals and
Precious Metals in industrial form. We
have developed a proven, safe and secure
method of preserving wealth by providing
allocated and segregated metal ownership,
with storage in private, fully-insured Swiss
facilities inside duty free zones.
In partnership with some of the world’s
most reputable metal traders and storage
facilities, we offer physical metals to private
individuals as a contingency to secure and
preserve their wealth.
Our business is securing the future, and the
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emerging technology is Rare Strategic and
Specialty Metals!
Owning physical metals provides your
portfolio with great security, and if chosen
correctly regarding metals owned and
market timing, may offer double digit annual
growth on average. We have proven track
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metals allow you to diversify your overall
portfolio, and protect your family from
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Until recently, these metals were only
purchasable in bulk by metal traders and
manufacturers. RAL now makes Rare
Strategic, Base, and Precious Metals
available to individual citizens and
institutions in smaller quantities. We provide
exposure across different metal groups and
Our business is not stocks, bonds, share offer a safe, conservative holding, with more
FHUWLÀFDWHV (7)V RU IXWXUHV FRQWUDFWV :H potential upside and liquidity than just one
only deal in tangible assets.
metal group may offer.
RAL and its partners, with decades of
experience in the Rare Strategic Metal
industry, see a growing need for people
to protect their assets from currency
devaluation. One strategy is to exchange
cash for real assets, such as physical metals.
Assets at the Core of Our Modern Life
Real Asset Metal Program
The metals normally available, but not limited to, are the following. Rare
Strategic Metals: Dysprosium, Indium, Rhenium, Gallium, Germanium,
Hafnium and Tantalum. Base Metals: Tin, Copper, Molybdenum, Cobalt
and Nickel. Precious Metals: Rhodium, Platinum, Ruthenium, Palladium,
Silver and Gold. Rare Earth Metals: By request only.
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developing countries, and from their appetite for new emerging
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supply each year, and face ever-increasing demand which will result in
price appreciation. These metals are predominantly controlled by the
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class which compliments precious metals.
Security and Ownership
Rare Strategic Metals are offered in industry-ready form at the highest available
purity in sponges, pellets, ingots, powders and liquids. Some rare metals are
liquid, taking just a few days to sell, while others are semi-liquid, requiring a
few weeks to move. Ultimately, it depends on the metal and current market
conditions. Rare metals have stable pricing, and are not traded in paper form.
Precious Metals are offered in bars and coins, or their industrial forms as
sponges and granules. All types of precious metals are liquid and have readily
available buyers, which makes them a currency-independent, non-paper asset
resellable within one business day of receiving a sale order. Industry-ready metal
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Base Metals are offered in the highest-purity, industry-ready forms: briquettes
shape, cut cathodes, resins, anodes, ingots, powders, and liquids. Form depends
on industry preference. Just like Precious Metals, Base Metals are liquid and
have readily available buyers, which make them a currency-independent, nonpaper asset. Base metals are more volatile in pricing than Rare Strategic Metals.
Real Asset LLC (RAL) stores allocated, segregated client metals in highly secure
storage facilities within Duty Free Zones just outside Zurich, Switzerland.
Clients may view their physical holdings by providing their Deed of Ownership,
delivered after completing the purchase.
There are various third-party crosschecks for control and security as your metal
moves into storage. After purchasing Rare Strategic, Precious or Base Metals,
clients receive a Deed of Ownership. The deed has a QR code you can scan
with a smart phone. Additionally, you receive a bonded warehouse receipt with
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your RAL account number.
On customs forms, the position numbers are always present. Therefore, it
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rightful owner of particular metals. Again, the account number is not
public and strictly protected, providing RAL clients with a high level of
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A client may visit the vault at any time, and may take metals home
if desired. The client simply books a visit appointment with RAL,
brings their Deed of Ownership, and brings their passport.
Visiting the vault does not mean clients must remove
metals; they are yours, and you can do as you wish. A
word of warning… Metals removed from the vault and
The numbers are tracking details for all the movements of your metals until taken outside the Duty Free Zone are subject to VAT.
they reside in our bonded customs storage warehouse. A bonded warehouse However, if metals are resold on behalf of the client
is a location for the interim storage of goods, where duty and taxes are unpaid. by RAL, and the transaction takes place within
7KHVHZDUHKRXVHVDUHVXEMHFWWRRIÀFLDOERQGPHDQLQJWKH\DUHDSSURYHGDQG the free zone, no VAT is applied. There are
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no taxes applied in Switzerland when
buying or reselling.
Each Deed lists names and amounts of purchased metals in kilograms, along
with position number, and serves as your proof of ownership. The identity of
the buyer is not public. Prior to delivery, the customs authorities may randomly
check the contents, weight, and purity of the metals.
Why Own Physical Rare Strategic, Precious
and Base Metals?
In the short term, you can take comfort in
knowing some of your accumulated wealth
is now in valuable, high-demand Specialty
60 Minutes discussed the vital nature of these metals in a March 2015 segment
and Precious Metals rather than paper and digital
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currency. Additionally, your assets are safe in private,
imagine modern life without aircraft and hybrid vehicles, or technological
secure, insured overseas vaults, where only you can remove
innovations like computers, mobile phones, LCD monitors, surgical lasers, jet
the metals or order a re-sale.
engines, cosmetics, medicines, ointments and creams, or even the clothing
RAL metals meet industry standards of purity and form, are ready
you are currently wearing.
for use by manufacturing, and are packed for extended storage as an
These are just some of the many applications for these metals.
allocated, segregated, physical substitute for vulnerable paper or digital
Our world experienced a dramatic increase in the demand for Rare Strategic assets.
Metals in cutting-edge technology over the past decade. Since 2000, industrial
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showcases the supply and demand dynamic around these assets.
intrinsic value, and explains why metals prices should continue to increase
well beyond the year 2025. Increased demand has strained supply, and A key element in decarbonization efforts, Dysprosium is used in hybrid and
there
is growing concern the world may soon face a shortage of the vital HOHFWULFEDWWHU\ SURGXFWLRQ7KH PRVWUHFHQWH[DPSOHLV 7HVOD·VUHYROXWLRQDU\
t
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materials.
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Historically, metals are considered the pinnacle of all material property.
week, and the company is currently sold out until 2016. Dysprosium is a key
Market scarcity, supply shortages, and ongoing turmoil in global
component in Powerwall units, and one can only imagine the impact if factory
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production expands. Should Tesla offer the product internationally, the already
Rare Strategic and Specialty Metal values are based on supply
at-risk Dysprosium supply may be depleted by Tesla alone. With current world
and
a demand fundamentals, rather than the manipulation and
production at 100 tons per year, clearly the demand for Dysprosium will drive
speculation
in Precious Metal markets due to Central Bank
s
up prices over the next decade.
involvement. They work to protect your wealth much like
Precious Metals, but are less prone to drastic swings &KLQD QRZ FRQWUROV RI WKH UHÀQHG HQG SURGXFWV ZKLOH KDYLQJ RQO\ in price. While Rare Strategic Metals provide great of worldwide Rare Metals reserves. They also consume the most. According
asset
protection over time, and have tremendous to experts, China will need about one quarter of all the Rare Strategic Metals
a
upside potential, Precious and Base Metals available globally outside of China, to meet future economic goals.
are
a more liquid while also functioning as
Due to the lengthy exploration and exploitation process, often taking many
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years, mining enterprises cannot increase their supply in the short run. The
protection,
and potential gain, is
p
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possible
when you diversify
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are due to a lack of new mine openings in past years. Though new mines are in
across
the
metals
a
the planning stages, it is a lengthy process. Annually, Germany alone imports
sspectrum.
approximately 20Bn. Euros worth of metallic raw materials. The supply shortage
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and Specialty Metal prices for the near future, and Indium is just one example.
These metals are vital to 95 percent of established manufactured products
today, and critical to developing the technologies of the future.
Protect Your
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with Rare Strategic Metals
We live in a seemingly
calm but ultimately unstable
world – both economically and
politically. Historically, parents have
expected their children to enjoy longer
lifespan, better opportunities, and greater
wealth accumulation than they were able
to achieve. Yet, with economic crisis affecting
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living standards than their parents. Depending
on what area of the world they live, children may
endure hardships expected to be historical relics
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fair, nor realistic, to expect the next generation
to support us as we grow older - they will have
other problems to face. Additionally, no citizens
should expect their cash-strapped governments
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Switzerland as the ideal metals storage locale
because of its centuries-long history protecting
the assets of wealthy clients from around the
world. Under global pressure from ominous
outside political forces, Swiss banks are no
longer the private safe haven they once were.
However, Swiss regulation, law, and reliability
still stand second to none, and holding metals
still offers real privacy and protection. By all
accounts, the Swiss will continue to be neutral
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safe and protected from wartime seizure.
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interests during times of political, economic, and
military turmoil? Not the government. Not big
business. Just you. You are the only one who can
or will shoulder the imposing responsibility. It is
up to you to allocate a portion of your savings to
hard assets which will always retain value. Come
wars, currency devaluations or cyber-attacks,
hard assets like metals will remain. They will
always have a value. These assets hold intrinsic
value and have been tested over the course of
5,000 years.
Bank collapses, considered rare events a decade
ago, are now common. Economists in many
countries see the USA as a beacon of stability;
yet even in the USA, nearly 600 banks have
collapsed since 2007 (source: bankimplode.
com). The world has turned to the US dollar
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XQDWWUDFWLYHµ RI WKH ZRUOG UHVHUYH FXUUHQFLHV Keeping hard, portable, segregated assets in
$PHULFD·V K\SHULQWHUYHQWLRQLVW IRUHLJQ SROLF\ Swiss vaults is the best protection available to
threatens to unravel the entire global economy, secure your future, and that of your family.
making global free trade a dream from the past.
Considering these factors, it makes sense to
diversify internationally and avoid keeping all
your assets in one country.
Advantages of Rare
Ownership
Strategic Metal
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independent non-bank storage in Switzerland
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Advantages of Offshore Duty Free Zone
Storage
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foreign jurisdiction
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metals; up to 200 percent coverage
Cobalt
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Cobalt circa 1735. The word cobalt is derived from the German kobalt, from
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Atomic mass:
58.933 amu
World annual
57,500 t
production of approx.:
Density:
8.90 g/cm3
Melting point:
1,495° C
Atomic radius:
125.3 pm
Boiling point:
2,927° C
Color:
Metallic Bluish Gray
Dicovery:
1732
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is one of the strongest alloys and is used for drill bits and milling. Highlystressed parts in mechanical engineering, like aircraft turbines, also rely on
Cobalt steel. Its applications as an alloying element make the raw material a
strategically important metal. It is needed in catalysts, Lithium-ion batteries,
and serves as a coloring pigment in porcelain and ceramics.
A recent Deutsche Bank report projects electric & hybrid vehicle ownership
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According to Simon Moores of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Cobalt
demand in the battery industry alone could rise 17 percent from 2013 levels,
meaning about 7,000 metric tons more per year. Tesla has a mandate to
source its raw materials from North America, and while the USGS pegs
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none. Hence, Cobalt shortages are likely in 2017, the same year the factory
opens for production.
Co 27
Applications
- Drill bits and milling
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- Heat-resistant paints and
pigments
- Super Alloys for heat and corrosion
resistance
- Gas and Jet aircraft turbines
- Permanent magnets
- Batteries for hybrid & electric cars,
mobile phones and laptops.
- Radio isotopes, radiography
- Catalysts
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enamels
- High-speed and high temperature
cutting tools and dyes.
- Magnetic steels and some types
of stainless steels
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nickel mining. Since Cobalt is closely tied to those metals, if copper and/or
nickel mining decreases, so will cobalt supply.
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of the Congo. It supplies about 55 to 60 percent of Cobalt worldwide. Once
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problems in the Congo and China will directly affect the players building
battery mega-factories, and thus increase Cobalt prices.
Even if things go smoothly, the global cobalt surplus is dwindling, and demand
will outpace supply by 2017. According to CRU Group, an internationally
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to become tight due to a combination of robust demand and absence of a
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and with the junior mining sector under tremendous
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Nickel
Nickel was discovered by mineralogist and chemist Baron Axel Fredrik
Cronstedt in 1751, who described it as kupfernickel.
After discovery, the only source for Nickel was the rare kupfernickel; but
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in 1889 increased demand in future years.
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largest producers of Nickel, according to the US Geological Survey.
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Atomic mass:
58.693 amu
Density:
8.908 g/cm
Atomic radius:
124 pm
Nickel has been a component in coinage since the mid-19th century.
3
World annual
production of approx.:
Melting point:
Boiling point:
Heat of evaporation:
Color:
Discovery:
1.6 mllion t
1,455 ° C
2,730° C
379 kJ/mol
Metallic Silver
1751
Here is a breakdown of worldwide Nickel consumption, as a percentage of
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percent in other uses.
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products. Due to corrosion resistance, Nickel is a historical substitute for
decorative Silver. Nickel also makes an excellent alloying agent for certain
other Precious Metals.
Products containing Nickel play a major role in everyday life. Compared with
other materials, these products offer better corrosion resistance, better
toughness, higher strength at extreme high and low temperatures, along
with special magnetic and electronic properties. Using Nickel provides
a practical improvement to health and safety, along with environmental
protection.
Since Nickel ores are easily mistaken for Silver ores, understanding of
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unintentional use is ancient, and can be traced back as far as 3500 BCE.
Ni 28
Applications
- Coinage
- Mobile phones
- Alnico magnets
- Medical equipment
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- Microphone capsules
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- Rechargeable batteries
- Power generation & catalysts
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- Stainless steel & special alloys
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a
ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper
is soft and malleable; a freshly exposed surface has a reddish-orange color.
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Atomic mass:
63.546. amu
Density:
Atomic radius:
8.96 g/cm3
128 pm
World annual
production of approx.:
Melting point:
Boiling point:
Color:
Discovery:
18 million t
1,084° C
2,562° C
Metallic Red-Orange
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Copper occurs naturally as native copper, and was known to some of the
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estimates of discovery center around 9000 BC in the Middle East. Alloying
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GLVFRYHU\RIFRSSHUVPHOWLQJDQGDERXW\HDUVDIWHU´QDWXUDOEURQ]Hµ
had come into general use.
More than 95 percent of all Copper ever mined has been extracted after
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Copper on Earth is big, but only a fraction of these reserves are economically
viable to source. Various sources estimate existing Copper reserves to last
between 25 and 60 years.
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and plumbing (20 percent) and industrial machinery (15 percent). Copper is
mostly used in pure form, but it is easy to make various stronger alloys when
required.
A small part of copper supply is used to produce compounds for nutritional
supplements and agricultural fungicides. Copper is biostatic, meaning
bacteria will not grow on its surface.
Cu 29
Applications
- Architecture
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- Compression clothing
- Musical instruments
- Radio frequency shielding
- Antibiofouling applications
- Antimicrobial applications
- Antimicrobial indoor products
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- Ceramic glazes & stained lass
Roughly half of all Copper mined is used to manufacture electrical wire and
cable conductors. Electrical devices use Copper wiring because of its many
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strength, ductility, creep (deformation) resistance, corrosion resistance,
low thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity, solderability, and ease of
installation.
Copper has been popular since ancient times as a durable, corrosion
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gutters, downspouts, domes, spires, vaults, and doors have been made from
copper throughout history.
Gallium
Gallium was discovered in Paris by Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in
1875. He observed a new violet line in the atomic spectrum of a sample of
Zinc blende ore (ZnS) from the Pyrenees.
Gallium melts and contracts at 29,8 Celsius; when combined with Indium
and Tin, it becomes an alloy called Galinstan and is used in thermometers
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under their skis between heats in the 2009 championships. During the
2011 World Championships, when Norway landed on the podium every
night, they used Gallium wax.
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World annual
production of approx.:
100 t
Atomic mass:
69.723 amu
Melting point:
29° C
Density:
5.910 g/cm3
Boiling point:
2400° C
Atomic radius:
136 pm
Color:
Silvery White
Discovery:
1875
Chinese Gallium production rose from one third to nearly 80 percent of
the global total between 2009 and 2013. Japan is the largest market, by
far, but its global market consumption fell from an estimated high of 80
percent in the mid-2000s to about 50 percent in 2013 as China consumes
more.
Gallium uses are primarily architectural, commercial, consumer portable
(for example, torches), industrial, in outdoor and residential lighting, signals
IRUH[DPSOHWUDIÀFOLJKWVDQGPRWRUYHKLFOHV$UFKLWHFWXUDOOLJKWLQJKDV
been the largest market, but may be overtaken by outdoor and residential
illumination needs in the coming years.
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market for Gallium, which will increase demand as countries like China and
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By the numbers, Gallium is a rare element. Approximately 100 tons of
raw Gallium is produced annually, primarily in China. It is found mainly in
Aluminum, Zinc and Germanium Ores. The concentration is a maximum of
0.01 percent.
With so many uses increasing demand, will long-term supply keep up?
Ga 31
Applications
- Aerospace applications
- LED & Lasers
- Illuminating diodes
- Integrated circuits/computer
chips
- Pharmaceuticals & dental
- Solar cells
- Fuels & Wafers
- Nontoxic mercury substitute
- Low melt alloys
- Hydrogen production
- Radiopharmaceutical agents
Germanium
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Atomic mass:
72.630 amu
World annual
118 t
production of approx.:
Density:
5.323 g/cm3
Melting point:
938.25° C
Atomic radius:
122 pm
Boiling point:
2,833° C
Color:
Grayish White
Discovery:
1886
Germanium was discovered by Clemens A. Winkler at his Freiberg, Germany
laboratory in 1886.
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germanium transistor created high demand for solid state conductors. Today,
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pharmaceuticals and various other applications.
Due to its optical dispersion properties, Germanium oxide is useful in wide
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&XUUHQWO\WKHVHDUHWKHPDMRUXVHVIRUWKLVHOHPHQW,W·VDOVRDFDWDO\VWIRU
polymerization and used in a PET plastic bottles made in Japan. Another
large percentage goes into solar energy pursuits and smartphone radio
technology.
*HUPDQLXP·V SURSHUWLHV DUH DGYDQWDJHRXVLQ PDNLQJ VSHFLDOL]HG JODVV IRU
militaries. For example, it is in manufacturing night vision scopes and optics,
which have great potential demand for military and commercial use. Satellite
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WKHUPDO LPDJHUV DUH ZLGHO\ XVHG LQ SUHYHQWDWLYH GHWHFWLRQ ÀUH FRQWURO
VHFXULW\DQGRWKHUÀHOGV7KHLQIUDUHGRSWLFVÀHOGUHPDLQVWKHSULPDU\JURZWK
point of future demand for Germanium.
Ge 32
Applications
3(7%RWWOHV
)LEHU2SWLFV
- Solar Panels
- Camera Lenses
- Rewritable DVDs
- Photovoltaic cells
5DGLDWLRQ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ
,QIUDUHG2SWLFDO(TXLSPHQW
- High Speed Integrated Circuits
Germanium supply is tied to Nickel and Zinc production; to supply more
Germanium, Nickel and Zinc production would have to increase substantially.
This would be uneconomic, however, because the demand for Nickel and
Zinc is not high enough to warrant that much extraction.
A large percentage of Germanium comes from countries not friendly to the
´ZHVWµ&KLQDSURGXFHVSHUFHQWDQG5XVVLDSURGXFHVIRXUSHUFHQW/HVV
than three percent comes from America. Thus, while western supply is not
ensured, demand will endure regardless.
China has greater say in Germanium prices, partly thanks to growing
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as downstream consumers purchase from hand to mouth. In the face of
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the premise of hoarding precious resources, how will Germanium price trend
going forward?
There are concerns, particularly among leading
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industrial resources like Germanium could become
more precarious in coming decades.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum was discovered by Swedish chemist and mineralogist Peter
Jacob Hjelm in 1781.
Molybdenum has the sixth highest melting point of any element. It is highly
corrosive-resistant, and does not expand, contract, harden, or soften under
extreme temperature changes. With good heat resistance and excellent
conductivity, it is perfect for super alloys.
0RO\EGHQXPGHPDQGKDVLQFUHDVHGVLJQLÀFDQWO\LQUHFHQW\HDUV8VHVIRU
molybdenum products are mostly industrial, and include energy generation,
oil and gas (used as a hydroproccessing catalyst in petroleum production),
geothermal, turbines for water, wind and nuclear power, chemical processing,
transportation, mining, mechanical engineering, building and construction
DQGIDEULFDWLRQVRODUFHOOVDQGÁDWVFUHHQVWRQDPHDIHZ
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
95.940 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
10.280 g/cm3
Melting point:
2,623° C
Atomic radius:
190 pm
Boiling point:
4,639° C
200,000 t
Color:
Metallic Gray
Discovery:
1781
The Alaskan Pipeline contains a half-inch metal alloy which can withstand
up to 25,000 PSI and temperatures of -70 degrees Fahrenheit. The pipeline
contains up to seven percent molybdenum in the 800 miles it spans. Without
molybdenum, the pipeline could not boast a 99 percent reliability rate,
which delivers the U.S. with approximately 775,000 barrels of oil per day.
0RO\EGHQXPGLVXOÀGHDOVRNQRZQDVPRO\EGHQLWHJDUQHUHGLQWHUHVWLQWKH
tech space this past year as researchers use it to improve digital cameras,
sodium-ion batteries and more.
The aerospace and chemical industries use Molybdenum to make valve
and turbine blades, and petroleum processing plants use drills and milling
machines containing the metal. Molybdenum is insensitive to reducing
acids, and when powdered or blended with oil the raw material withstands
extreme pressures and temperatures. Such properties make Molybdenum
a high-performance lubricant with few peers.
&KLQD LV WKH ZRUOG·V ODUJHVW 0RO\EGHQXP SURGXFHU :KLOH SURGXFLQJ
32 percent of Molybdenum worldwide between 2000 and 2013, China
contribution is expected to decline to roughly 28 percent between 2019 and
2023.
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RI WKH ZRUOG·V UHVHUYHV DQG RI FXUUHQW ZRUOG SURGXFWLRQ PDNLQJ &KLQD
the global market leader. Other large reserves are found in the USA and
Chile. Approximately 200,000 tons are produced
worldwide, with almost 30 percent of demand met
by recycling.
Supplies cannot meet demand over the next few
years, and there is a shortfall expected in 2017.
Mo 42
Applications
7KLQÀOPWUDQVLVWRUV
- Dietary supplements
- Aircraft and rocket parts
- Catalyst for sulfur removal
- corrosion and heat resistance
- Radiopaque medium for x-rays
- Sealed electrical lines in halogen
and high-pressure gas discharge
lamps
- Alloying additive for increasing
strength
Ruthenium
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
101.07 amu
World annual
20 t
production of approx.:
Density:
12.45 g/cm3
Melting point:
2,334° C
Atomic radius:
134 pm
Boiling point:
4,150° C
Color:
Silvery White
Discovery:
1844
Ruthenium is a rare transition metal belonging to the Platinum group of the
periodic table. Like the other Platinum group metals, Ruthenium is inert to
most other chemicals.
The name comes from the Latin word for the country of Russia, Ruthenia.
5XWKHQLXPZDVGLVFRYHUHGE\5XVVLDQFKHPLVW.DUO.DUORYLFK.ODXVLQ
while analyzing Platinum ore residue obtained from the Ural Mountains.
Ruthenium usually occurs near deposits of Platinum, and is primarily a
E\SURGXFWRIPLQLQJDQGUHÀQLQJ3ODWLQXP,WLVDOVRDE\SURGXFWRIWKH1LFNHO
mining operation in the Sudbury region of Ontario, Canada.
Industrial extraction of Ruthenium is complex as the metal occurs in ores
mixed with other metals such as Rhodium, Palladium, Silver, Platinum, and
Gold. As a result only about 20 tons of Ruthenium are available annually.
5XWKHQLXPLVDPRQJ(DUWK·VUDUHVWPHWDOVDQGGHPDQGLVULVLQJWKHPHWDO
ÀQGV XVH LQ WKH HOHFWURQLF SHUFHQW DQG WKH FKHPLFDO LQGXVWU\ percent), with smaller amounts in creating alloys. In electronics, it previously
was used mostly for electrical contacts, but now goes into chip resistors. In the
chemical industry, Ruthenium is used in the anodes for chlorine production
in electrochemical cells.
Ru 44
Applications
- Catalysts
(OHFWURQLFV
- Chip resistors
(OHFWULFDOFRQWDFWV
- Chemical industries
- Precious metals alloys
(PHUJLQJPDJQHWWHFKQRORJ\
Ruthenium catalysts provide a way of converting light energy into electrical
energy, and can be used in solar cells. The process mimics photosynthesis,
where green plants change sunlight into stored chemical energy.
Ruthenium is primarily used as an alloying agent. Adding 0.1 percent
Ruthenium to Titanium makes Titanium 100 times more resistant to corrosion.
Small amounts of Ruthenium are added to Platinum and Palladium for added
strength. These alloys are found in jewelry and in electrical contacts.
The metal also has exotic and currently-unused properties, such as quantum
critical point behavior, exotic superconductivity, and high-temperature
ferromagnetism. Thus, Ruthenium has potential in wholly undeveloped
capacities, and requires more research.
Supply of Ruthenium is unstable. Both the top producer and largest reserve
holder is South Africa, whose production is notoriously disrupted by politics,
economic unrest, and failures in the power grid.
Outside of new recycling methods, if Ruthenium
supply is disrupted, there is simply no source of the
scarce metal.
Rhodium
Rhodium is a hard, durable metal with a silvery appearance and high
UHVLVWDQFHWRFRUURVLRQ,WLVRQHRIWKHUDUHVWPHWDOVLQWKH(DUWK·VFUXVWD
factor that, complemented by its value for many applications, ensures its
extremely high cost.
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discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston.
Industrial extraction of rhodium is complex, as the metal occurs in ores
mixed with other Precious Metals. Commonly found in Platinum ore, it is
H[WUDFWHGDVDZKLWHLQHUWPHWDOZKLFKLVGLIÀFXOWWRIXVH
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
102.905 amu
Density:
Atomic radius:
12.41 g/cm3
134 pm
South Africa is the main exporter of Rhodium (approximately 80 percent
in 2010), followed by Russia. The annual world production of this element
is 30 tons, and there are very few Rhodium-bearing mines. Per year,
approximately 30 tons are used for catalytic converters, one ton is used in
WKHJODVVLQGXVWU\SULPDULO\IRUÀEHUJODVVDQGÁDWSDQHOJODVVSURGXFWLRQ
and 2.5 tons in the chemical industry (plating for tarnish resistance). Plus,
there is demand related to Precious Metal industries.
5KRGLXP·VPDMRUXVHDSSUR[LPDWHO\SHUFHQWRIZRUOGSURGXFWLRQLVDV
a catalyst component in the three-way automobile catalytic converters. As
Rhodium is inert against corrosion and most aggressive chemicals, and
because of rarity, Rhodium is usually alloyed with Platinum or Palladium
for use in high-temperature and corrosion-resistive coatings. Rhodium
GHWHFWRUVDUHXVHGLQQXFOHDUUHDFWRUVWRPHDVXUHQHXWURQÁX[OHYHOV
Rhodium price is historically variable. In 2007, Rhodium cost approximately
HLJKW WLPHV PRUH WKDQ *ROG WLPHV PRUH WKDQ 6LOYHU ULVLQJ DERYH
$10,000 per ounce ($350,000 per kg). The economic slowdown in mid2008 pushed Rhodium prices sharply back below $1,000 per ounce
($35,000 per kg); prices rebounded and stabilized in recent years.
According to a January 2015 report from Deutsche Bank, global demand
will exceed supply every year through 2020, resulting in an accumulated
shortfall of 530,000 ounces. The bank forecasts supply will drop 0.7
percent this year as consumption jumps 5.8 percent to1.09 million ounces,
the highest since Johnson Matthey started tracking the data in 1985.This
ensures increasing prices in the years to come.
World annual
production of approx.:
Melting point:
1,964° C
Boiling point:
3,695° C
Color:
Silvery White
Matallic
Discovery:
1803
30 t
Rh 45
Applications
- Alloys
- Optical coatings
7KHUPRFRXSOHV
- Nano materials
- Mammography X-Rays
(OHFWURGHVIRUVSDUNSOXJV
- Advanced laboratory equipment
- Automotive catalytic converters
- Semiconductor & sputtering
targets
- Metallurgy, chemical and physical
vapor deposition
Palladium
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
106.420 amu
World annual
190 t
production of approx.:
Density:
12.023 g/cm3
Melting point:
1,554° C
Atomic radius:
139 pm
Boiling point:
2,963° C
Color:
Silvery White
Discovery:
1803
Palladium is a rare and lustrous silvery-white metal discovered in 1803 by
William Hyde Wollaston. Named after the asteroid Pallas, the epithet of the
Greek goddess Athena was acquired by her when she slew Pallas.
As a rare Precious Metal, few regions worldwide produce Palladium. In 2007,
5XVVLDZDVWKHWRSJOREDOSURGXFHURI3DOODGLXPDWSHUFHQWIROORZHGE\
6RXWK$IULFDZLWKSHUFHQW$WVL[SHUFHQWDQGÀYHSHUFHQWUHVSHFWLYHO\
&DQDGD DQG WKH 86 DUH WKH RQO\ RWKHU VLJQLÀFDQW SURGXFHUV 5XVVLD DQG
South Africa, known to be higher-risk jurisdictions, account for almost 80
percent of global Palladium supply. Growth in mine supply is constrained,
largely due to political, infrastructure and cost factors in South Africa. In
Russia, Palladium production may decline partly because of the Ukraine
crisis, and a limited number of new projects on the near-term horizon. This
ZLOOH[DFHUEDWHWKHH[SHFWHGODUJH3DOODGLXPGHÀFLWDIWHU
Many sources also speculate the Russian stockpile has long been over-sold,
and there is not nearly as much Palladium still in the ground as believed.
Coupled with the growing unrest between Russia and the West, a supply
crisis could be underway within the decade.
The numerous applications and limited supply sources of Palladium result in
considerable investment interest.
Pd 46
Palladium is currently trading at the highest prices since 2001, and is
SURMHFWHG WR UHPDLQ VWURQJ WKURXJK DV VXSSO\ GHÀFLWV SHUVLVW 7KH
outlook for Palladium over the next ten years predicts a return to historically
high prices.
World demand for Palladium increased from 100 tons in 1990 to nearly 300
tons in 2000. The global production of new Palladium was 222 tons in 2006,
according to USGS.
Applications
(OHFWURQLFV
(OHFWULFDOFRQWDFWV
- Aircraft spark plugs
- Catalytic converters
- Green tech fuel cells
- Surgical instruments
- Medicine & Dentistry
- Blood sugar test strips
- Groundwater treatment
- Jewelry & Watch making
- Key component in cold fusion
- Production of high purity
hydrogen
The demand for Palladium in the automotive industry (67 percent of total
supply used for catalytic converters) has more than doubled during the last
\HDUVLQWKH%5,&·VGXHWRHPHUJLQJDIÁXHQFHORZYHKLFOHSHQHWUDWLRQ
per capita, and an increase in global automotive production. The tightening
of emissions standards worldwide will result in steady catalytic converter
demand growth, and thus the need for Palladium.
For almost 7,000 years, humanity has known: Silver is a metal with a bright
future, in the truest sense of the term. Silver has been used as currency
for thousands of years, and in many cultures and civilizations. Even today,
the mention of Silver in many languages induces visions of money. Though
it has been popular mainly in coinage and jewelry, the last few decades
demonstrated Silver is an indispensable industrial metal.
Unlike Gold, which has no particular industrial use, Silver is beautiful and
has several unique characteristics.
1RRWKHUPHWDOUHÁHFWVOLJKWRUFRQGXFWVHOHFWULFLW\EHWWHUPDNLQJLWKDUG
to imagine modern electronics in vehicles or the entertainment industry
without Silver. Silver performs excellent in high-performance applications
where any loss of signal is unacceptable. This just one example.
Silver
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
107.868 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
10.490 g/cm3
Melting point:
961.78° C
Atomic radius:
165 pm
Boiling point:
2,162° C
Color:
Shiny White
Discovery:
before 5000 BC
20,800 t
Silver is one of the best antibacterial elements available, and is essential to
ZDWHUÀOWHULQJPHGLFLQHVDQGVHYHUDOFXUUHQWDQGIXWXUHQDQRWHFKQRORJLHV
which need this property such as fridges and air conditioners. Optical
DQG KHDW UHÁHFWRUV ZRXOG QRW EH QHDUO\ DV HIIHFWLYH ZLWKRXW 6LOYHU $OOR\
and solder quality would suffer without Silver. With a wide spectrum of
applications, ranging from catalysts to dental technology, it is not surprising
Silver is one of the most sought-after industrial metals.
Demand now outstrips supply, and as China and India have increased
imports, further strain on the Silver market will come. In 2015, India alone
is expected to import a third of yearly global production, which marks a
LQFUHDVHRYHUÀJXUHV$VGHPDQGFRQWLQXHVWRLQFUHDVHDQG
supply dwindles, the market for this shiny metal will increase rapidly.
Consumption is already higher than supply, and if the situation persists,
above-ground stockpiles face depletion.
Silver production averaged around 21,000 tons in the last few years, and
the largest producers are Peru, Mexico, and China. Both the Fraunhofer
Institute and the Rhine-Westphalia Institute for Economic Research, in
Germany, predict worldwide Silver shortages in the near future.
Ag 47
Applications
ÀOWUDWLRQ
- Batteries
- Catalysts
5),'FKLSV
- Solar technology
- Plasma screens
- Medical technology
(OHFWULFDOHQJLQHHULQJ
- Photography and electronics
- Currency, jewellery and silverware
- Antibacterials prevention and
water
Indium
Indium was discovered by German chemists Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymus
Theodor Richter in 1863. The men were looking for traces of the element
Thallium in samples of Zinc ore.
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
114.818 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
7.310 g/cm3
Melting point:
156.6° C
Atomic radius:
156 pm
Boiling point:
2,072° C
Color:
Silvery White Glossy
Discovery:
1867
600 t
Indium, whose name was coined after the color of the spectral line, was
SUHVHQWHG WR WKH SXEOLF LQ ODUJH DPRXQWV IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ DW WKH
3DULV·:RUOG([KLELWLRQ,WVFRPPHUFLDOXVHDVDEHDULQJFRDWLQJLQDLUFUDIW
engines began during the Second World War. Already, Indium was preparing
to take over the world. Today, Indium is found in all Liquid Crystal Displays,
WRXFKVFUHHQVL3KRQHVÁDWVFUHHQVPRELOHSKRQHVDORQJZLWKFRPSXWHUV«
basically, all the most popular 21st century innovations.
Just as we are all getting used to being surrounded by touchscreen gadgets,
we may be heading towards a serious manufacturing problem, according
WR1HZ6FLHQWLVW<DOH8QLYHUVLW\·V7KRPDV*UDHGHOZDUQVVWRFNVRI,QGLXP
are running low and will likely be exhausted by 2020. A new article by New
6FLHQWLVWUHSRUWHU-DPHV0LWFKHOO&URZFODLPVWKHZRUOG·VUHVHUYHVRI,QGLXP
may only last another decade.
)URP FRDWLQJ QRQIHUURXV PHWDOV WR DLUFUDIW HQJLQH EHDULQJV ,QGLXP·V
versatility makes it invaluable to many industries. Supply concerns are on
the horizon, however, and while recycling has notably increased, especially in
Japan, the total recycling rate sits at less than one percent.
In 49
Applications
- Illuminating diodes
(QJLQHEHDULQJVRIKLJKVSHHG
motors
(OHFWULFDOFRPSRQHQWV
- Sealing in cryogenic applications
- High-end device cooling
- Semiconductor materials, InAs,
InGaAs, and InGaN,
- Integrated circuits, lasers, solar
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)ODWVFUHHQV'LVSOD\V
&HOOSKRQHVQDYLJDWLRQV79
- Medical technology
7UDQVLVWRUVUHFWLÀHUVWKHUPLVWRUV
and photoconductors.
As early as 2006, 230 of the 600 tons produced annually were needed
display production alone; by 2030, the renowned Fraunhofer Institute of
*HUPDQ\ SUHGLFWV D KXJH DQQXDO GHPDQG RI WRQV 0RUH WKDQ ÀIW\
percent of production comes from China, the biggest supplier. The largest
Indium deposits are also found there, an estimated 8,000 of 11,000 tons
total. The shiny, silvery Indium is very soft in its pure form. You could carve
ÀJXUHVIURPLWRUQRWFKLWZLWK\RXUÀQJHUQDLO
No other metal is as versatile as Indium. In its various forms, it is used for
a huge range of vital applications. Our world would be completely different
without Indium.
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn (for Latin: stannum) and
atomic number 50. The name comes from German zinn, and Swedish
tenn.
7KHÀUVWODUJHVFDOHDOOR\XVHGLQ%&ZDVEURQ]HDFRPELQDWLRQRI
Tin and Copper. After 600 BC, pure metallic Tin was produced. In modern
times, Tin is used in many alloys, most notably Tin/Lead soft solders,
which are typically 60 percent or more Tin. This application accounts
for over 50 percent of Tin consumption. Another common application is
corrosion-resistant plating of steel. Because of its low toxicity, Tin-plated
metal is commonly used for food packaging as Tin cans, which are made
mostly of steel.
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
118,71 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
7.365 g/cm3
Melting point:
232° C
Atomic radius:
140 pm
Boiling point:
2,602° C
Color:
Silvery White
Discovery:
Around 3500 BC
321,000 t
$ERXW WRQV RI 7LQ ZDV PLQHG LQ LQ &KLQD SHUFHQW
Indonesia (30 percent), Peru (12 percent), Bolivia and Brazil (7 percent).
,W·V HVWLPDWHG WKDW DW FXUUHQW FRQVXPSWLRQ UDWHV (DUWK ZLOO UXQ RXW RI
PLQDEOH7LQLQ\HDUV+RZHYHU/HVWHU%URZQSURMHFWVLWFRXOGEHPRUH
like 20 years based on extremely conservative extrapolation growth of
two percent per year. This could mean supply crunches and rising prices
in years to come. Tin is in critically short supply primarily due to demand
from the electronics industry and emerging Asian economies, along with
diminishing production and use of Tin in more types of products. Tin faces
a supply shortage as old mines close, ore grades decline, and limited
new supply comes on-stream. Additionally, the biggest Tin mine in South
America closes in 2017.
China is battling rising labor costs and tighter environmental restrictions,
which will inhibit production. Indonesia forecast a decline in shipments of
7LQLQGXHWRWKHJRYHUQPHQW·VUHVWULFWLYHH[SRUWSROLF\RQQDWXUDO
Applications
resources. Due to declining production from the two largest producers
(China and Indonesia), world stockpiles fell in recent years.
China continues to be the largest producer of Tin, but increasingly uses
low-grade ore to cover their needs. They also import Tin, underscoring
their need for the metal.
Tin price on the LME was $15,700 per metric ton in May 2015. Capital
(FRQRPLFV H[SHFWV SULFHV WR ULVH WR E\ ODWH
2016. BNP
Paribas forecasts $27,500 per ton in 2016.
Sn 50
Applications
- Solders
- Metal pipes
- Metal Alloys
- Li-ion batteries
- Plating & Tin Chemicals
- Cladding for Nuclear Fuel
- Coating to prevent corrosion
- Food preservation containers
- Superconductor below 3.72 K
- Electrically conductive coatings
- Superconducting Mag
nets (Nb3Sn)
Dysprosium
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
162.5 amu
Density:
Atomic radius:
8.54 g/cm3
178 pm
World annual
production of approx.:
100 t
Melting point:
1,407° C
Boiling point:
2,562° C
Color:
Discovery:
Silvery White
1886
One of the metals RAL is most excited about currently is also listed as
PRVW´DWULVNµIRUVXSSO\VKRUWDJHVE\WKH(8'\VSURVLXPLVIRXQGLQPDQ\
minerals including xenotime, fergusonite, gadolinite, euxenite, polycrase,
blomstrandine and monzonite, but remains challenging to separate. This
H[SODLQVZK\LWVQDPHPHDQV´GLIÀFXOWWRJHWDWµLQ*UHHN
)LUVW LGHQWLÀHG LQ E\ 3DXO ePLOH /HFRT GH %RLVEDXGUDQ LQ 3DULV
Dysprosium can be cut with a knife, tarnishes slowly in air, and burns readily.
Dysprosium is vital to many applications and industries, ranging from nuclear
power and refrigeration, to lasers, commercial lighting and automobiles.
One exciting application is in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, which are
being strongly promoted in China and the EU. This industry alone requires over
JUDPVRI'\VSURVLXPLQWKHGULYHPRWRUIRUHYHU\FDUSURGXFHG7R\RWD·V
projected output of 2 million cars per year will require more Dysprosium than
currently available.
Dysprosium is also used to measure radiation, and in metal-halide lamps. It
is used to reinforce other materials, as a catalyst, and in high-precision liquid
fuel injectors.
Dy 66
Applications
- Catalysts
7UDQVGXFHUV
- Dosimeters
- Nuclear Reactors
7UDQVSDUHQWHOHFWURQLFV
- Laser and Commercial Lighting
'ULYH0RWRUVLQ(OHFWULF9HKLFOHV
- Wide Band Mechanical
Resonators
+LJK3UHFLVLRQ/LTXLG)XHO
Injectors
- Data Storage Applications (Hard
Disks)
- Adiabatic Demagnetization
Refrigerators
During a recent European Union study, only eight metals were listed as
´$W 5LVNµ IRU VXSSO\ VKRUWDJHV UHVXOWLQJ IURP GHFDUERQL]DWLRQ HIIRUWV
'\VSURVLXP ZDV OLVWHG DV PRVW ´DW ULVNµ ,Q IDFW WKH 86 'HSDUWPHQW RI
'HIHQVHH[SHFWVDWRQ'\VSURVLXPVXSSO\GHÀFLWQHHGHGIRUXQVSHFLÀHG
PLOLWDU\DSSOLFDWLRQVLQIXWXUHFRQÁLFWV
A recent development in the Dysprosium market comes from Tesla, Elon
0XVN·V VXFFHVVIXO HOHFWULF YHKLFOH FRPSDQ\ &DOOHG ´3RZHUZDOOµ 0XVN
intends to revolutionize how we power our homes by selling a battery utilizing
Dysprosium. The devices are sold out through 2016, but with Dysprosium
supplies stretched thin already, the metal is primed see higher prices.
6KRXOG7HVOD·VQHZHVWFUHDWLRQEHVXFFHVVIXOWKH\FRXOGEHFRPHDSULPDU\
consumer of Dysprosium.
Additionally, Tesla will still churn out their electric vehicles, with plans to sell
a lower-cost model by 2017. We may see more competition in the vehicle
PDUNHWWRRVLQFH*HQHUDO0RWRUVSODQVWRXQGHUFXW7HVOD·VPRUHDIIRUGDEOH
option by a few thousand. Both companies will need Dysprosium to meet
their goals.
'\VSURVLXPLV´GLIÀFXOWWRJHWDWµ7KHODUJHQXPEHURIJURZLQJDSSOLFDWLRQV
almost ensures supply shortages are coming. Therefore, values of this
versatile metal are almost certain to increase.
Dutch physicist Dirk Coster and Hungarian chemist George de Hevesy
discovered Hafnium during an X-ray spectroscopy of Norwegian Zircon
in Copenhagen in 1923. Ever since, this element has been regarded as
D VSHFLDOLVW ZLWK YHU\ VSHFLÀF XVHV 7KH QHZ UDZ PDWHULDO WRRNLWV QDPH
IURPWKHZRUG´+DIQLDµWKH/DWLQQDPHIRU&RSHQKDJHQWKRXJKLWFRPHV
predominantly from Australia and South America.
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task of isolating and exposing it from Zirconium. Not possible during
manufacturing, its isolation is a completely separate process.
Hafnium
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Atomic mass:
178.490 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
13.310 g/cm3
Melting point:
2,233° C
Atomic radius:
208 pm
Boiling point:
4,603° C
Color:
Silvery
Discovery:
1922
Hafnium, an unknown-to-mainstream metal, has seen sharp price
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dwindle. As such, prices are set to soar in the next two to three years. Some
sources predict the world may deplete Hafnium stockpiles in a decade if
supplies are not replenished soon. Already, above-ground stockpiles are
critically low, and with increasing nuclear industry use, shortages are on
the horizon.
Traditionally, Hafnium is used in nuclear control rods in the wake of
disasters such as Fukushima. Recently, it found additional application in
super alloys used by aerospace industry, and in industrial gas turbines.
3ODVPDZHOGLQJWRUFKHVDUHDOVRDFRPPRQXVHWKDQNVWR+DIQLXP·VKLJK
melting point. It is an electrical insulator in microchips, semiconductors,
integrated circuits, and works to catalyze certain polymerization reactions.
Hafnium is irreplaceable in many of these functions.
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future, drive the market. Full aerospace order books, along with predictions
industry demand could double within the next two decades, will certainly
put additional pressure on existing producers.
In nature, Hafnium occurs with Zirconium at a ratio of around 1:50. Less
than 80 tons of Hafnium is produced yearly, not enough to cover world
demand. With declining Zirconium production, there will not be enough
Hafnium. Producers vow to crank up production, but the dilemma remains:
Zirconium and Hafnium, like in nature, are coupled in the market like
Siamese twins.
65 t
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Applications
- Lasers
(OHFWURGHV
- Super alloys
- Nuclear technology
- Incandescent lamps
)LODPHQWIRUOLJKWLQJ
- Plasma cutting tools
- New high capacity power plants
- Computer chips (e.g. Intel
processors)
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Tantalum
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
World annual
production of approx.:
Atomic mass:
180.948 amu
Density:
16.690 g/cm3 Melting point:
Boiling point:
200 pm
Atomic radius:
1,160 t
3,017° C
5,458° C
Color:
Silvery White
Discovery:
1844
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rare raw material. He once dined with the Gods and stole nectar, ambrosia,
and a golden dog from the Temple of Zeus. He was subsequently punished
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A suitable name, thought Anders Gustaf Ekeberg, who discovered Tantalum
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PXVW´ODQJXLVKLQSDLQDQGFDQQRWTXHQFKLWVWKLUVWµDVGLG7DQWDOXVLQWKH
underworld.
,WKDVVHYHUDOGHÀQLQJFKDUDFWHULVWLFVKLJKPHOWLQJSRLQWFRUURVLRQUHVLVWDQFH
hardness of 6.5, and chemically inert. These attributes mean Tantalum has
a wide range of uses.
Today, Tantalum is used in many areas; our modern 21st Century life would be
hard to imagine without this metal. Tantalum capacitors are small, powerful,
and suitable for high-frequency ranges. They are used in mobile phones,
computer and videogame consoles, medical equipment, and radios.
7KDQNVWR7DQWDOXP·VKLJKGHQVLW\DQGPHOWLQJSRLQWQHZXVHVDUHFRQVWDQWO\
engineered. Explosive charges and armor-piercing weaponry and two new
uses, and as countries worldwide expand their military capabilities, Tantalum
will be in need.
Ta 73
The European Parliament, in a surprise decision, voted to ban all products
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decision will affect 880,000 companies in the EU alone. This may create a
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Applications
(QJLQHEHDULQJ
- Chemical industry
- All electronic devices
- Surgical instruments
- capacity SMD technology
- Ultra small capacitors with high
capacity SMD technology
In addition, Tantalum is used as an alloy in aircraft turbines, nuclear reactors,
and missile parts because of its high melting point. Being non-toxic and nonUHDFWLYHWRERG\ÁXLGVLWLVDOVRXVHGLQPHGLFDOLPSODQWV
- Medical implants, bone nails,
prosthesis, maxillary screws,
dental & hip replacements
- High-end Watches
- Armor-piercing weaponry
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produced worldwide. By 2030, the amount needed for capacitors will rise to
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with Brazil and Canada a distant second and third.
Tungsten
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VWRQHµ WKRXJK WKH QDPH LV YROIUDP LQ 6ZHGLVK WR GLVWLQJXLVK LW IURP
Scheelite, which in Swedish is also called Tungsten.
A hard, rare metal under standard conditions, Tungsten is only found
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DQG ÀUVW LVRODWHG LQ 2I DOO SXUH PHWDOV 7XQJVWHQ KDV WKH
KLJKHVWPHOWLQJSRLQWƒ&ƒ)
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tungsten is making its way up the global critical metals list.
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
183.840 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
19.250 g/cm3
Melting point:
3,422° C
Atomic radius:
193 pm
Boiling point:
5,555° C
Color:
Gray
Discovery:
1973
By far, the largest consumer of Tungsten is China, accounting for 55 percent
of total world consumption in 2010, followed by the USA (13 percent)
and Europe (12 percent). China is also the biggest producer. Add in mine
closures, production disruptions, and lack of new supply from western
mines, and the outlook for Tungsten supply looks bleak.
38,000 t
(YHQDVGHPDQGVWHDGLO\ULVHVWKHZRUOG·VODUJHVWQRQ&KLQHVH7XQJVWHQ
mine will be exhausted by next year. China aims to further control Tungsten
output through industry consolidation and targeting illegal production and
smuggling.
While other sources have ramped up metal production, China still produced
RIWKHZRUOG·V7XQJVWHQLQ7KH\DUHIRUHFDVWWRPDLQWDLQRI
global production in 2018.
The automotive industry is the largest global consumer of Tungsten and
is one of the main drivers behind Tungsten demand growth. In particular,
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these uses, and also in electrical contacts and voltage regulators.
The BGS describes Tungsten as a key hard metal used in almost all cutting
tools. It is an important metal with no substitutes, and a key component in
steel manufacturing, construction, oil drilling, and mining industries.
Price is expected to rise due to supply and demand until 2017.
W 74
Applications
- Jewelry
- Counter balances
- Vibration governos
- Industrial catalysts
- Chemical compounds
- Rocket engine nozzles
- Super alloys and steels
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- Rotor blades & gyro rotors
- Arc welding & die cast tooling
- Radiopharmaceutical industry
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tubes
- Military applications and
armanents
Rhenium
Discovered in 1925 by Walter Noddack, Ida Tacke and Otto Berg in Germany,
Rhenium was the last stable element discovered. It was named after the river
Rhine in Europe.
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
186.207 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
21.02 g/cm3
Melting point:
3,186° C
Atomic radius:
193 pm
Boiling point:
5,596° C
Color:
Gray
Discovery:
1922
50 t
Nickel-based super alloys of Rhenium are used in combustion chambers,
turbine blades, and exhaust nozzles of commercial and military jet engines
by all engine manufacturers because, thanks to Rhenium, the higher
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less fuel when operating. In 2006, consumption by engine manufacturers
alone was 28 percent for General Electric, 28 percent for Rolls Royce, and 12
percent for Pratt and Whitney. Additionally, Rhenium is used in turbines for
nuclear, wind, gas and hydroelectric power.
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LV XSGDWLQJ DQG H[SDQGLQJ LWV ROG PLOLWDU\ DQG FRPPHUFLDO ÁHHW QHZ
planes and 1,000 new helicopters). Such developments discount demand
from current users which, at the moment, consumes more than yearly global
production.
These super alloys contain up to six percent Rhenium, making jet engine
construction the largest single use for the element, with chemical industry‘s
catalytic uses being the next-most important.
Re 75
The remaining 18 percent of Rhenium is used predominantly for PlatinumRhenium catalysts, primarily used in producing lead-free high-octane
gasoline. Other applications include X-ray technology, self-cleaning electrical
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cancer.
Rhenium is also of critical strategic military importance for its use in high
performance military rocket and jet engines.
Applications
- Missile propulsion
- Combustion chambers
- Liver cancer treatment
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)ODVKODPSVLQSKRWRJUDSK\
- Rocket engine manufacturing
- High octane lead free gasoline
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nozzles
- Stealth aircraft and military
jetengines
5KHQLXPLVRQHRIWKHUDUHVWHOHPHQWVIRXQGLQWKHSODQHW·VFUXVWLWUHTXLUHV
120 tons of copper to make one ounce of Rhenium. Current yearly demand
is over 65 tons (with 50 tons of new production), and with recycling being
XQSURÀWDEOHDQGYHU\GLIÀFXOWVKRUWDJHVDQGSULFHVSLNHVDUHYHU\OLNHO\7KH
last spike was 2006-2008, when Rhenium went from $3,000 to $12,000.
Because of the low availability of this metal relative to demand, Rhenium
is among the most expensive of the Rare Strategic
Metals
Platinum
Platinum was used by pre-Columbian Americans near modern-day
Esmeraldas, Ecuador to produce white gold-platinum alloy artifacts. The
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Italian humanist Julius Caesar Scaliger.
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and precious as a transition metal. The name comes from the Spanish
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6RXWK $IULFD DFFRXQWV IRU RI ZRUOG SURGXFWLRQ 'XH WR 3ODWLQXP·V
VFDUFLW\LQ(DUWK·VFUXVWRQO\DIHZKXQGUHGWRQVDUHSURGXFHGDQQXDOO\
given its important uses, it is highly valuable and is a major Precious Metal
commodity. Unique chemical and physical properties make Platinum an
excellent raw material, catalyst or ingredient for manufacturing processes
The South African Platinum industry has seen a substantial supply
decrease related to labor disruptions and safety stoppages. A number of
marginal mines have closed, and more closures seem likely..
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV
Atomic mass:
195.084 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
21.45 g/cm3
Melting point:
1,768° C
Atomic radius:
139 pm
Boiling point:
3,825° C
Color:
Metallic Yellow
Discovery:
1735
161 t
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remaining 35.5 tons went to other minor uses. The reason why Platinum
is the most valuable Precious Metal today is because it is required in so
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use either contains Platinum, or requires Platinum in its manufacture.
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but demand rose from 7,230 to 8,030 tons. Including recycling, the 2013
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Pt 78
Supply growth for Platinum was marginal over the past several years, and
strong demand has been underpinned by growth in ETF buying, Chinese
jewelry demand and strong industrial use. The increasing number of
personal computers will have a positive effect on Platinum demand in the
future.
Applications
During periods of sustained economic stability and growth, Platinum price
tends to be up to twice that of Gold, whereas during periods of economic
uncertainty, the price tends to decrease due to reduced industrial demand,
and even falling below the price of Gold.
- Anticancer drugs
(OHFWULFDOFRQWDFWV
- Petroleum Industry
- Watchmaking & Jewelry
- Platinum wire electrodes
- Precious metal commodity
- Strong permanent magnets
- Pharmaceuticals & Implants
- Metal-core catalytic converter
- Spark plugs and turbine engines
- Dentistry & neurosurgical
equipment
- Coating missile cones, jet engine
nozzles
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optic cables
Gold
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Atomic mass:
196.9667 amu
Density:
Atomic radius:
19.30 g/cm3
144 pm
Gold was discovered millennia ago. Its name comes from the Anglo-Saxon
ZRUG´JROGµWKHRULJLQRIWKHV\PERO$XLVWKH/DWLQZRUG´DXUXPµPHDQLQJ
´JROGµ
World annual
2,500 t
production of approx.:
Melting point:
1,064° C
Boiling point:
2,970° C
Color:
Metallic Yellow
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EHIRUH%&(
Discovery:
Gold is one of the few elements to occur in a natural state. Found in veins
and alluvial deposits, about 1,500 tons of Gold is mined each year. About
two-thirds come from South Africa, and the rest predominantly from Russia.
The world consumption of newly produced Gold is about 50 percent jewelry,
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Thin Gold wires are used inside computer chips to produce circuits. Gold
nanoparticles are increasingly being used as industrial catalysts. Vinyl
acetate, used to make PVA (for glue, paint and resin), is made using a Gold
catalyst.
The main reason for buying physical Gold is not industrial demand. Gold
LV QRW DQ LQYHVWPHQW LW LV UHDO PRQH\ *ROG UHÁHFWV JRYHUQPHQW·V RQJRLQJ
deceitful action in destroying the value of paper currency. Gold has been
money for 5,000 years and maintained its purchasing power throughout
history because it cannot be printed. It is a time-tested and proven method
for preserving wealth and purchasing power. In 1729, Voltaire famously said:
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Au 79
Applications
- Colloidal gold
- Jewelry and arts
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- Medallions and coins
- Dentistry and medicine
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- Store as a measure of value
6FLHQWLÀFDQGHOHFWURQLF
instruments
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radiation
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anelectrolyte
- Protective coatings on many
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The debts of governments and banks can never be repaid with normal
money. Instead, they will need to create massive additional debt and print
money at an accelerated rate. This will most certainly lead to a much higher
Gold price. Consequently, past examples have also shown these actions to
NLOOZHDNHUÀDWFXUUHQFLHV+LVWRU\LVDOLWHUDOJUDYH\DUGIRUSDSHUQRWHVEXW
what remains? Gold.
Currently, the paper Gold market is at least 100 times greater than the
physical market. Many investors are under the illusion they own gold when
all they have is a piece of paper with no physical gold backing. Governments
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increase in 50 years, and 17 percent more than 2013, according to the World
Gold Council.
The only true safety is owning physical Gold stored in private, offshore vaults.
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speaking countries. By 1530, Latin-speaking scholars referred to it as
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until 1830 was Bismuth detected as a unique element by chemists Claude
Francois Geoffrey, Johann Heinrich Pott, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, and Torbern
Olof Bergman.
Bismuth production depends on Lead or Tungsten, from whose ores it
is predominantly extracted. Approximately 7,500 tons of Bismuth was
produced in 2009, with more than 60 percent coming from China, the
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WR QRWH WKDW WKH 86 KDOWHG SURGXFWLRQ RI UHÀQHG %LVPXWK DQG WKHUHIRUH
totally dependent on imports. Bismuth prices increased approximately
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VWURQJDVIXQGDPHQWDOGHPDQGDORQJZLWKOLVWLQJRI%LVPXWKRQ&KLQD·V
Fanya exchange, continue to support the market.
Bismuth
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Atomic mass:
208.980 amu
World annual
production of approx.:
Density:
9.780 g/cm3
Melting point:
271° C
Atomic radius:
143 pm
Boiling point:
1,564° C
Color:
Silvery White
Discovery:
1753
7,500 t
Current and future applications for Bismuth are clear. The element is used
predominantly for alloys in metallurgy and in the pharmaceutical industry,
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the unusual property of expanding when frozen.
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table of elements are, in one case, highly toxic and, on the side, deadly
radioactive. This is one of the great strengths of Bismuth, since it has
properties similar to Lead and other heavy metals but is completely nonWR[LF,QIDFWLWLVLQFUHDVLQJO\XVHGDVD/HDGVXEVWLWXWH%LVPXWK·VXWLOLW\
in replacing Lead extends as far as shotgun shot pellets, used primarily in
bird hunting. By substituting Bismuth, birds who simply suffer nicks from a
pellet will not be poisoned and die. The lead-substitute capacity of Bismuth
now accounts for about one third of production.
Sustainability of Bismuth supply is now heavily depend on recycling. The
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catalysts. When used in medicines, Bismuth is non-recoverable.
A Lead-Bismuth alloy was used in one of the fastest mass-produced
submarines of all time, the Soviet Alfa-Class submarine, as a coolant for its
onboard nuclear reactor.
Bi 83
Applications
- Solders
- Glazes and paints
- Lubricating grease
- X-ray contrast medium
- Abdominal therapeutics
- Plastics and printing ink
- Non-toxic substitute for lead
- Antiseptic ointments for burns
- Shielding for nuclear reactors
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are excellent vehicles for individuals looking to
preserve their wealth. Since such accounts mature
free of taxes, or defer taxes until withdrawal, the
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interest.
Many administrators and custodians of self-direct
plans have restrictive product offerings, and may
advise interested individuals that they may not own
Rare Strategic, Base, and Precious Metals in their
retirement accounts. On the contrary, experts with
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suggest using a simple, IRS-compliant strategy to own
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However, there are other, potentially more devious options
available, though they receive less publicity.
Due to these factors, Americans often complain their
retirement plans are restrictive, rigid, and limiting in what
assets account holders may own.
Real Asset LLC has joined forces with custodians and
industry experts who developed a legal strategy for
physical ownership of Rare Strategic, Base, and Precious
Metals. These physical assets, held in your IRA, can be
kept safely offshore in insured, bank-level secure vaults.
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potential of Rare Strategic, Base, and Precious Metals,
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due to uncertainty about future policy decisions, free trade zone laws in Switzerland.
status of the dollar, and potential devaluation of cash Owning Rare Strategic, Base, and Precious Metals
accounts. Most of these funds are invest in volatile, LQ \RXU ,5$ RU . LV HDV\ WKDQNV WR 5HDO $VVHW
underperforming instruments which are, in the end, LLC and trusted industry partners. Our network
valued in U.S. Dollars, or are otherwise paper-based.
of professionals can have your retirement plan
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nationalization of retirement assets, a scenario which
appears likely as the U.S. government ponders how to
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Real Asset LLC has published a free, informative
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perhaps the best vehicles available for owning Rare
Strategic, Base, and Precious Metals, and outlining
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Disclaimer and Risk Notice
This document is not a purchase contract. No
representation or warranty is made by Real Asset LLC
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completeness of such information, and liability with
respect thereto is expressly disclaimed by the company
and its representatives.
Asset Strategies International, Inc.
1700 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852-1631 USA
US & Canada 800-831-0007
International +1 301-881-8600
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.AssetStrategies.com
If the Company receives adequate interest from recipients
of this document, it may, at its discretion, provide a formal
purchase contract for the consideration of interested
parties.
The Company expressly disclaims any responsibility for
any loss incurred by any person acting or refraining from
acting as a result of the information contained herein.
No representations or warranties of any kind are made
or intended, and none should be inferred, with respect
to any of the projections, tables, statistical data and
designs contained herein. Such projections and data were
prepared on the basis of certain stated assumptions and
are presented solely for illustration.
Prospective purchasers are not to construe the contents of
this document or any prior or subsequent communications
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or advisors as legal, investment, or tax advice.
Each recipient of this document agrees that all the
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and that it will not, directly or indirectly, disclose any
such information without the prior written consent of the
Company.
This document may not be copied, reproduced or
distributed to others at any time without prior written
consent of the Company.
Recipients will be given the opportunity to meet with
management, visit the Company and conduct their own
due-diligence investigations, upon which they must rely
solely in making any purchase.
A Guide to Allocated Prosperity
Physical Metal Ownership