March

  China has not the same out look as the rest of the world,when it  comes to its mineral resources.
  Although its the largest producer of gold at the moment,it really cares little about  its production,but jealously guards its base and industrial minerals.Any western mineral miner can get a permit to mine gold there and has some freedom as to where it decides to sell its production,but when it comes to the base metal category itis almost impossible to get a permit.The Chinese believe that that asset is best left in the ground.That is why they are now expandng outwards world wide and buying up all  those mineral assets as then they will have their own in reserve. 
Another fallacy is that they need our know how to succeed at mining.This is simply not so,as they have been mining for two thousand years and when they need to know exactly how to mine.
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Update

Sake24 is taking Escom to court to force it to give its very secretive deal it originally had in the nineties with Richards Bay Aliminium smelter out  to the  press as conditions have vastly changed since then.
 It is rumoured that Escom is supplying electricity at under cost price to the smelters.It is also rumoured that if  we don't supply the smelters at all we won't have an electricty crisis,if fact we shall have a surplass of electricty.

Update March

South Africa has fallen to fourth spot in gold production ,behind China Australia and America.
The electricty shortage in 2008 and the rising cost of production as our mines become older and deeper also weighed upon production.
Then there is a general policy in South Africa to mine the lower grade ore bodies when the price of gold rises and this is now the case.When the price falls again then the better ore bodies are mined,this is done to give continuity to mining as it is cheaper than   to close mines every time the price falls. 

There is expected to be a shortage in supplies of platinum in particular and in all PGMs in general during this year as the curtaling of production kicks in.The situation will probably only ease in a couple of years time as there is likely to be an increasing demand as the world recovers from the recession. 

Go to the sashare2010 blogspot for twice monthly updates.

Update March

   The Nasdaq has reached its highest point in eighteen months,since its loaded with technology shares ,it might be a good place look at shares for the future.
   The gold price may be running out of steam,although there is still a small upward bias in the price.

   The gold mines share prices have not picked up really  since the start of this year and at best the ir prices are churning.

   GOLD ETF's (EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS) are holding up quite well .They were in part responsible for the price of gold taking off. Now there is worry that as it becomes obvious that the recession is behind us there will be a huge sell-off causing the GOLD PRICE TO TUMBLE.

South Africa - 1982 Krugerrand 1/10 Oz. Gold Coin   If you feel that  you would like to hold something in gold,there are always coins that have an intrinsic value other than just being a metal hoarding exercise.Their specific history,condition and amount minted ,design also play a part.American Eagles Coins,South African Krugerrands Coins a re the best known and easiest to trade.