Abstract |
Analysis of commodity issues often requires knowledge of long-term commodity prices and an understanding of what influenced those prices. The U.S. Bureau of Mines receives numerous requests for such information on mineral commodities. This publication provides historical price data for metals in the United States and a discussion of the events that influenced those prices. Current dollar prices were compiled on an annual basis to show long-term trends. The sources of the prices are given in individual sections. Current prices given are an average for the year, the yearend price, or an average of available yearend prices. All of the commonly traded metals, such as copper, zinc, and precious metals are included. Minor metals, such as scandium rhenium, and the rare earths, are included as well. Because of its importance to many metals, including such alloying metals as chromium and nickel, steel prices are given. Iron ore, although not a metal itself, is included because of its importance to steelmaking. A few minor metals for which there were insufficient price history, such as strontium, potassium, and sodium, are excluded. |