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hegexplore.ca
From reconnaissance development
to advanced stage exploration,
we are the premiere exploration
services company in BC's Golden Triangle.
demand, leaving limited room for other
potential producers such as the Woodsmith
Project of Sirius Minerals in Britain which
is seeking financial support to finalize
construction.
SILICON METAL
Silicon and ferrosilicon are manufactured
using broadly the same process and are
physically similar but are very different
in terms of their applications. Silicon
metal is used in the manufacture of
aluminium alloys, silicones, semiconductors
and, increasingly, solar applications. In con-
trast, over 90% of ferrosilicon is consumed
in the production of iron and steel.
Over the past decade, consumption
growth for silicon metal has diverged
significantly from that for ferrosilicon.
The reason for this lies in the differ-
ent end-use sectors which drive demand
for these alloys. Global silicon metal
consumption grew 6.3%py between 2010
and 2017, supported by strong growth in
all of its main end-use sectors, especially
solar.
World production of both is dominated
by China, accounting for almost 70%
of global output; however, Chinese fer-
rosilicon production has been subject to
increasingly stringent government controls
on overcapacity and emissions, whilst the
country's silicon metal capacity and output
has been permitted to increase further. The
extent to which this will remain the case
over the coming decade is important for
the wider sector.
SCANDIUM
Economic scandium deposits are rare;
however, there is much interest in the
metal for its strengthening ability for use
in aluminum alloys, particularly by aircraft
designers (including defense and aero-
space) as well as for automobiles and solid
oxide fuel cells.
According the Mordor Intelligence, the
scandium market is expected to register
a CAGR of above 11.5% for 2019 to 2014.
Lack of awareness, high cost, and inconsis-
tent supply are restraining the growth of
the scandium market.
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