In any language you're using, recent events which have precipitated the world economic slowdown, have resulted in a situation that is of high concern for most industries. But the nature of industrial minerals - their consistent long term demand, their basic requirement in industrial processes and application in everyday life - means that in the main, they are generally better equipped to ride out such economic storms than certain other commodities. Certainly, 2008 turned out to have been a rollercoaster of a year, and if nothing else, had everyone on their toes through thick and thin. But it's not all doom and gloom for the future. Let's take the "China factor" first. The year started, and to the anxiety of traders, is set to repeat for the start of 2009 (see . 10), with increased export taxes and VAT on certain minerals such as bauxite, mullite, talc, and fused alumina. China's successful Olympic Games in August were preambled by a temporary anti-pollution curb on mining and plant production.
展开▼
