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Metals

The war in Ukraine could make stealing catalytic converters more lucrative for thieves

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Mar 22, 2022
They're valuable in part because the palladium inside is expensive. And Russia provides much of the world's palladium.
"You can get anywhere from $60 to $100 in recycling a catalytic converter, but you end up costing the victim thousands of dollars in repairs," says Avo Bagramyan of Automotive in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
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My Economy

How this metal foundry grew its business during the pandemic

by Minju Park
Oct 14, 2021
Although prices for aluminum and zinc are ticking up, Adam Schaller, vice president of a Michigan metal foundry, says business is growing.
Prices for aluminum base scrap picked up 9.7% from August to September.
Lukas Schulze via Getty Images
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How did aluminum get so expensive?

by Amanda Peacher
Sep 7, 2021
The 10-year high in prices is due to unrest in Guinea, where a key component is mined, and the surge in demand for the green economy.
Stacks of empty aluminum cans sit on a pallet Devil's Canyon Brewery in California. The price of aluminum reached a 10-year high this week.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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As an economic indicator, copper is worth its weight in gold

by Matt Levin
Aug 20, 2021
Copper has long been seen as an economic predictor. So why are prices dipping, and what are the implications?
Copper scrap left over from machining. The price of the commodity reached an all-time high in the spring but has recently declined.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
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Copper’s soaring price points to recovery, green-economy demand

by Sabri Ben-Achour
May 10, 2021
Copper, especially, is a key ingredient in electric cars, wind turbines and batteries. Suppliers are not ready to meet the demand.
A new copper mine can take five to 10 years to come online. Above, copper rods used in machine parts.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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There are hidden treasures in our sewage sludge

by Levi Sharpe
Apr 8, 2016
Millions of dollars worth of valuable metals end up being flushed down the drain, some coming from our own bodies.
Gold bars.
Wikipedia
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An old-school U.S. company lets its sexy side shine

by Mark Garrison
Oct 8, 2015
Industrial giant Alcoa splits in two to grow high-tech aerospace and auto business.
A worker walks among rolls of semi-finished aluminum at the Alcoa aluminum factory in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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BBC World Service

Mercury: "The quixotic bad boy of the periodic table"

by Marketplace Contributor
Dec 26, 2013
Our journey through the economics of elements checks out mercury.
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