Base Metals Looking Good, Selenium Shines EXTRACTS by Larry S. Levy Editor, Arts 'n Mines Newsletter March 30, 2005
In the most extreme example from the boom in base metals prices, we will look again at selenium. Selenium has applications in ceramics and in electronics. It is used in copy machines, in photographic toner, and as an additive in the making of stainless steel. Recently many new use have been found, including in a whole new generation of solar cells.
I last reported on the price of selenium on March 8. It had then closed the previous week's trading at an average price of US$53.00 per pound. [That's mine concentrate, not the highly refined stuff ready for end users, and costing hundreds of dollars per pound.] Last week, however, the average price was US$58.50 per pound, with the high during the week having reached US$65. But just 22 months ago, selenium was $3.75 per pound. This is a change in the average weekly price of 1,460 percent over 22 months, or very nearly 800 percent per year.
One should consider, however, that the selenium market has a volatile history. And, while new applications are currently supporting the market, the current price surge is unprecedented. While I don't see it falling back, or falling back strongly, I am not in a position to project it's future course. Having said that, the price of selenium could just keep pushing higher as the relatively small amounts needed in manufacturing likely do not add much to the cost of finished goods.
HMC Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
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