RE:RE:RE:EGZ - the facts...Vanadium is in demand now and will be even more so in the future, according to the scientific community. In construction, vanadium alloys are being used to strengthen structural steel to withstand seismic events. A small amount of vanadium adds reinforcement, toughness, and heat and corrosion resistance. In recognition of those properties, steel specifications could be raised in the rebuilding of Japan; however, it is also likely that other vulnerable geologic regions worldwide, such as the West Coast of the United States, could begin to specify stronger steel grades for their building and construction industries. China already did so last year, mandating higher-grade steel for all new construction projects. In addition, nations that are, literally, building up their infrastructure, such as Brazil and India, will add to the vanadium demand.
The price is already soaring. Until recently, vanadium was mined and sold in only three places on Earth: Russia, China, and South Africa. Now, one of those suppliers – China – is said to be hoarding vanadium for use in its own growing steel and battery industries. In fact, according to industry sources, China may need as much as 20,000 metric tons of vanadium for domestic production within the next two years.