2006-12-11 04:16:01 · 6 answers · asked by noodles 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Copper consumption has increased significantly - the Orient being a major consumer now.
However, production has NOT kept up with demand and with all things where demand exceeds supply, the price will increase.
Silver should start to increase considerably too as again consumption in electronics (as well as jewellery) is increasing faster than supply can handle.
2006-12-11 04:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mark T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like most commodities, copper is also traded on the open market to determine its price. Most of the metals prices have risen substantially in the last couple years, leading some people to think there may be a bubble in metals prices.
Copper has remained pretty high even though some metal prices have tanked. I think copper remains high mostly due to nothing more than speculation. The rise in price over the past few years simply does not entirely explain the demand, but I believe the initial rise was due to the housing boom, since copper is used for piping water into a home. It has unique anti-microbial properties that make it useful for this purpose.
2006-12-11 13:37:01 · answer #2 · answered by chris_in_columbia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where did you get this statistic from? Any mineral cannot increase in size over the time, the only explanation to your statement would be because they're finding more of, not necessarily because there is more of it; does that make sense? In other words, let's hypothetically assume that there is 1 million ton of raw copper in this planet, this 1 million ton wasn't discovered fully decades ago but with time they're discovering more, this doesn't mean that amount is increasing, it just means that they're finding it as we go.
Unless you're talking about the prices...That's a supply/demand issue, i am sure you know what i am talking about :)
Good luck :)
2006-12-11 12:23:19 · answer #3 · answered by American Wildcat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its partially due to speculators on wall street bidding up the prices and partially due to the demand for copper being used in all the new homes that are being built.
2006-12-11 12:31:11 · answer #4 · answered by rm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called supply and demand. Limited supply,,, the price goes up. Too much,,, price goes down. Or sometimes like the 'gas shortage' they are just porking all of us.
2006-12-11 12:28:43 · answer #5 · answered by landersonjr1958 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not true
2006-12-11 12:18:34 · answer #6 · answered by god knows and sees else Yahoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋