Tin metal is found in everyday life and is essential to an industrial society. In many applications, there is no completely satisfactory substitute for tin, making this metal an important strategic and…
Tag: commodities
30 Interesting Facts About Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant, infinitely recyclable, and an essential part of our daily life. Measured either in quantity or value, aluminum’s use exceeds that of any other metal except iron, and…
A Giant-Sized History Of Oil
From decomposed organic material forgotten for hundreds of millions of years, to diplomacy commodity and petroleum politics, the ascent of oil as fuel for the rise (and fall?) of society seems unreal….
Sustainability & The Circular Economy Finally Break Into The Mining Industry
Sustainable development is a well-documented challenge for the planet in the years leading up to 2050, and beyond… It is estimated that between now and 2050, the world’s population will grow from…
Dr. Copper: Meet The Fourth Industrial Revolution
You may have heard that we are entering a new era of innovation, a Fourth Industrial Revolution. What many fail to realize is that with every new era of innovation comes industrial…
A Giant-Sized History of Corn
Let’s give the Mighty Maize its due. These days, corn is a bad word. When one says “corn,” others immediately think “corn syrup, candy, soda, SHUGASHUGASHUGA…” But corn is so much cooler…
A Giant-Sized History of Wheat
“It is time to pay tribute to this strange little grass that has done so much for the human race. Strange is the word, for wheat is a genetic monster.” A typical…
65 Things You Might Not Know About Steel
While many of us associate the introduction of steel into economics with the start of the First Industrial Revolution, steel has actually been around for a VERY long time. Steel has always…
The Big List Of Things You Might Not Know About Platinum
Platinum has a wide range of uses, including jewelry, catalytic converters, electrical contacts, pacemakers, drugs and magnets. But how much do you really know about this “noble metal?” Get ready for some…
58 Things You Might Not Know About Silver
It’s too bad silver has been labeled “Poor Man’s Gold,” because it’s far more useful than gold. Not only is silver a precious metal and recognized form of currency, but it’s also…