"Industrial" metals a good investment?

[Twiceshy]

Since China's entry into industrialization, they have gained control of the natural resources in South Africa, and seek all types of metals for manufacturing.

Might metals other than gold and silver also be a good investment? Should we look at metals normally associated with industrial processes, like nickel, iron, and others, as likely investment opportunities?

 

[Laughingmouse]

It's a thought.

I haven't seen any figures for non-precious metals, but they might be a good investment!

Good idea.

 

[Taggart]

I believe nickel is used for manufacturing electronics, isn't it? If so, I'd expect it to be a good investment.

I'm sure silver and gold will remain valuable, and I think I've heard that there's more interest in the actual metals themselves than stocks trading in those industries.

 

[SageMother]

I believe nickel is used for manufacturing electronics, isn't it? If so, I'd expect it to be a good investment.

I'm sure silver and gold will remain valuable, and I think I've heard that there's more interest in the actual metals themselves than stocks trading in those industries.

Then, it would be smarter to hold stock in a South African mining company, right?

How does one buy stock in one of those?

 

[Taggart]

Then, it would be smarter to hold stock in a South African mining company, right?

How does one buy stock in one of those?

Actually Sagemother, the person I talked to would suggest owning gold and silver coins and bars, rather than stock in a company mining them.

We haven't specifically discussed nickel.

 

[katharina]

Then, it would be smarter to hold stock in a South African mining company, right?

How does one buy stock in one of those?

I don't really think it's a good time to be putting money into the economy of other countries. I agree that gold bullion and coins is the way to go.

 

[Twiceshy]

Actually Sagemother, the person I talked to would suggest owning gold and silver coins and bars, rather than stock in a company mining them.

We haven't specifically discussed nickel.

But,

Gold and silver are not the industrial metals we're talking about, are they?

I think the goal here would be to get into a resource that is tightly chained to a developing economy. Since China has most of the people on earth within its borders, their entry into the industrial age has to be fueled with some pretty non-precious, but terribly useful, metals.