History of Zinc (from International Zinc Association, (http://www.iza.com/uses.html) Centuries before zinc was discovered in the metallic form, its ores were used for making brass and zinc compounds, its ores were used for healing wounds and sore eyes. It is believed that the Romans first made brass in the time of Augustus (20 B.C. - 14 A.D.). In the 13th century Marco Polo described the manufacture of zinc oxide in Persia. At Zawar, India, both zinc metal and zinc oxide were produced from the 12th to the 16th century. From India, zinc manufacturing moved to China in the 17th century where it developed as an industry to supply the needs of the brass industry. In 1743, the first European zinc smelter was established in Bristol in the United Kingdom. A major technological improvement was achieved in Germany which led to the erection of ...

Long-term steel contracts, constant cost-reduction efforts, higher steel prices, lower interest rates, strong cash flow position and a dominant acquisition strategy inspire our optimism with respect to the nation’s largest recycler of steel scrap Nucor Corp.’s (NUE) performance in the coming quarters. However, a slowdown in steel demand from the automobile sector and increased production in China are matters of concern. Thus, we rate the stock a Hold and raise our six-month target price to $55.00.

Nearly 55% of Nucor’s steel sheet volumes are under long-term price contracts, which will provide the company a cushion against higher raw material costs. It had been able to successfully pass on higher raw material costs through a mechanism of steel surcharges, which helped the company maintain or even improve its operating margins. Going forward, we believe long-term price contracts will help Nucor to maintain its near-term profitability.

Nucor’s Castrip technology will structurally lower its

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There are a variety of media reports this weekend exploring the issue of thieves who are absconding with beer kegs and taking them to scrap metal yards where they can receive upwards of $50 for an empty keg. One report discussed how some manhole covers have even disappeared.