Commerce Resources Corp. reported an intriguing new discovery on its Eldor Rare Earth Property in Quebec yesterday, announcing high tantalum-niobium grade boulders which rank impressively against other top deposits worldwide.

There are two ways to visualize the critical metals and industrial minerals sector. Some see a hostile climate, where junior mining companies compete for scarce financing dollars. But there's a sunnier side to this story: More than ever, companies, government and academia are forming partnerships to solve a global problem—the ongoing need for scarce critical materials.

We take a look at the most industrial of the precious metals, palladium. It was the only one of the four precious metals to post gains in 2013. Will it continue to do so in 2014?

Chinese copper imports for November were slightly higher than the previous month, but were up 31% year-over-year. That news sparked a rally to levels not seen since this past May.

Chinese copper imports for November were slightly higher than the previous month, but were up 31% year-over-year. That news sparked a rally to levels not seen since this past May.

In 2013, our uranium bellwethers Areva (ARVCF) and Cameco (CCJ) have significantly outperformed the S&P 500 (SPY) by a significant margin. The uranium price has been making a very bullish turnaround since early November.

Copper prices continue to bounce back and forth within the confines of a relatively narrow range, seeking direction (Chart 1). Production growth has been strong, but demand has been as well – mainly in China, where it counts.

Copper prices continue to bounce back and forth within the confines of a relatively narrow range, seeking direction (Chart 1). Production growth has been strong, but demand has been as well – mainly in China, where it counts.

The best thing about low uranium prices is that they greatly enhance one’s ability to take over world-class deposits that were discovered prior during increased exploration thanks to high uranium prices.

Uranium prices and mining stocks are low, but market forces will push them both higher in the next 12–24 months, says David Sadowski. Miners are jockeying for position and he tells us to expect mergers and acquisitions as they prepare for the good times to come.