China and Western Nonferrous Metal Markets

📖 The Scoop

This study analyzes the evolution of the Chinese minerals and metals industry during the last two decades. After presenting the geographical, economic and socio-political realities which make up the environment in which this industry has developed, the study examines its main characteristics (quality of reserves, production, consumption, trade flows) and the chief variables influencing their evolution. The study then provides sectoral analyses of the Chinese aluminum, copper, nickel, lead and zinc industries, to determine the past and probable future degree of import dependence for these metals which account for 95 percent of Chinese nonferrous production. This study discusses the opportunities presented by China's potential increased dependence on international sources, analyzes the impact of Chinese imports on the levels and stability of prices, and assesses their possible effect on the competitiveness of mineral producers in the Asia-Pacific zone. Finally, it discusses a possible future Chinese mineral policy which gives greater recognition to the benefits of a specialization in the production and export of goods which are more intensive in labour than in capital or energy resources.

Genre: No Category (fancy, right?)