"The sector hasn’t seen this sort of synchronised downturn since...

"The sector hasn’t seen this sort of synchronised downturn since the dark days of the Global Financial Crisis."
Synchronized downturn indeed! I cannot believe that there is not information as to whom and how much metal supply has been purchased, and even estimated how much actually used by the purchaser. That seems to be something many "analysts" would know.

As for stockpiling, who determines how much is too much for a single entity, but clearly a government involved in the game must show itself in some fashion. The fact that it will also take three months to announce possible new rules also makes me suspicious.

This morning something crossed my mind...(well, what there is left of one) Imagine one great con where a nation accumulates said metals and stores them, creating a huge run up in price. Companies start to work on mining plans and development of those mines, and then the bottom falls out of the market due to a quick "oversupply" of the metal, causing panic and sale price offers to JV's for the once much needed mines. Would make for a great book and movie deal. Anyone see Mortimer and Randolph Duke lurking anywhere??????
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2013/07/19/201430727/what-actually-happens-at-the-end-of-trading-places