Molybdenum Mining Production Rise

Mining production rose 6.2% in December 2009 compared with the December 2008, the state run National Statistics Institute, or INE reported on the 30^th.

That result means that Chile’s increasing mining output for the January – November period was unaffected relative to the first 11 months of 2008, the report said.

November’s piece was buoyed by increases in the output of copper,molybdenum, gold, iron ore, although increases were offset somewhat by rejecting manufacture of silver, zinc, lead and manganese.

In November, the index progressed 7.8% compared to the same month of 2008 due to 7.3% increase in the copper index and 0.4% percent rise in the other index.

The non-metallic index plunged 15% because of a steep drop in the output of the nitrate and lithium carbonate between January and November, this fell 6.2% year on year

metal blaze causes road closure

A factory in the west midlands, that has ignited 1,400 tonnes of metal, could possibly take many says to put out.

Dunne Brothers on Moor Street, Brierly Hill, which is where the fire started took around 30 firefighters to tackle it.

The tonnes of metal, 1,400 of it could take ages to put out due to the metal burning cannot be put out with water. Luckily nobody was hurt during the blaze, and the street was closed, but has not been reopened again.

Tony Jackson, watch manager at Brierley Hill fire station, said smoke was drifting away from residential areas.

He added fire crews would be at the site for most of Tuesday and would also be checking the burning metal over the next three or four days.

“To disturb it is really the worst thing you can do. We just let it take its time, it will burn itself out,” he said.

“There’s no danger to anyone else, it’s a contained site so that’s the best course of action.”

Potential found at Mt Carbine Tungsten Project

ICON Resources have pointed out the potential of the Mt Carbine TungstenProject in north Queensland.

The declaration comes after the company came across high grade mineralisation from completing assaying mineralised core from the upper portion of legacy drill CB18.

Icon Resources said the outcome includes 8m @ 0.36% WO3 within 27m averaging 0.14% WO3 from 105m and 18m @ 0.37% WO3 within 47m averaging 0.23% WO3 from 163m.

According to Icon Resources, the grades are more than the assumed overall grade of mineralisation at Mt Carbine which is estimated to be around 0.2% WO3.

Icon Resources claims the outcome will make the Mt Carbine Tungsten Project the company’s top priority in its drilling campaign.

Plans to Drill For East Kirup Lithium-Tantalite-Tin Prospect

Following the ending of the joint venture with Ord River Diamonds, 100% ownership of the East Kirup lithium-tantalite-tin exploration prospect has decline to Red River Resources Limited As a result Red River is now planning to carry out a 6,000m programme at East Kirup during February-March 2010.

The East Kirup outlook is a lithium-tantalum-tin geochemical anomaly 4km long by up to 1.5km wide that occurs in E70/2435 and which is situated 20km north-northwestward on structural geological trend from the Greenbushes lithium-tantalite-tin mine. The Greenbushes mine is a world class deposit that contains Total Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources of 25.2 million tonnes of 3.6% Li2O (Talison Lithium Prospectus, 2009) as well as substantial connected tantalite-tin mineralisation. Geochemical sampling carried out by Red River has delineated well-known geochemically anomalous lithium, tantalite and tin over the East Kirup prospect area which is interpreted as a mineralised halo over better mineralisation at depth. The approaching drill program is designed to test that concept and is likely to be followed by a programme of deeper drilling.

Demand for sand

India is looking to purchase more rutile and ilmenite mineral sands from Sri Lanka, a media story said quoting Kerala state industries minister Elamaran Kareem.

Sri Lanka’s The Sunday Times newspaper in a Kerala dateline story said 2 state-run firms Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd and Travancore Titanium Products Ltd was looking to introduce more mineral sands from Sri Lanka.

The newspaper story said there was not a sufficient amount of ilmenite to feed the packed capacity of the Titanium plant.

Ilemenite and rutile is used to create Titanium metal used in the aerospace industry, and Titanium dioxide pigment, used in paints.

China was the biggest buyer of Sri Lankan mineral sands in 2008, followed by India, according to data released by the island’s geological survey office.

Great mineral assets are sourced in the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, where a 30-year war ended this year. The sands are extracted by state-run Lanka Mineral Sands.

Titanium shrink price

Osaka Titanium Technologies are finalising the value negotiation of spongetitanium with offshore rolled titaniummakers to shrink the price by around 15% for 2010 delivery from 2009.

The price decreases for 2 years in a row after the price decreased by 10% to 15% in 2009 due to slow airplane demand.

The price slash would impact on price compromise with domestic rolledtitanium makers in spring 2010.

Zirconium dental implants

Dental implants are replication tooth replacements that are used to replace teeth when lost. The procedure generally involves prosthetic dentistry, though it also falls into the class of cosmetic dentistry. There are a number of other restorative options for missing teeth like bridges and dentures; none have proven to be as functionally successful and long-lasting as implants.



Implants offer a everlasting solution to tooth loss and are also used in combination with other restorative procedures like providing support to single crowns for greatest effectiveness.

Implants can also be used to hold a dental bridge for the replacement of multiple missing teeth, and can be used with dentures to boost stability and diminish gum tissue irritation.

Hybrid implants will structure a Zirconium head for improved aesthetics and a titanium implant for improved power and functionality.

Molybdenum price decreasing

Molybdenum prices are still on the slide, showing the markets poor essentials. There is a debate within the marketplace due to future prices, because some analysts say they are more weak further in early 2010 while atleast one producer will see a demand surge ahead.

Steel Mills are working in Molybdenum inventories and ordering new supply, so the spot price have slid to an estimate $10.75/lb from an estimate $11.01 in Novemeber 2009 and the highest of $16.64 in August.

In summer 2008, the mills were purchasing Molybdenum at length just prior to the pick up in weekly carbon steelmaking output that has since stopped. “The mooted revival in thestainless steel industry has failed to materialize,” said independent consultant Angus MacMillan.

Molybdenum mine costs rise

Thompson Creek Metals Inc. uncovered Monday a $124.4m cost boost to its Endako Molybdenum mine because of changes to design. The increase of 33% updates the price of the project to $498m, in which TCM who is current owners of the mine, is responsible for $374m.

“While the new design has raised the total capital cost of the Endako modernization and expansion project, the project remains economically attractive and will, with a greater certainty, generate the expected significant reduction in per-pound cash processing costs,” says Thompson Creek Metals chairman and CEO Kevin Loughrey.

TCM still need the go ahead of its joint partner Sojitz Corp. to carry on with design.

The changes to the design include enhanced flexible pebble crusher circuit to ensure a finer grind and an enhanced automation system, which will add to improved findings ofmolybdenum from the ore.

Globe Metals & Mining results at Kanyika Niobium Project

Globe metals & mining have announced the first set of 2009 infill drilling results from Kanvika Niobium project in Malawi.

The infill drilling programme was made to upgrade the resource group of certain areas of the deposit.

The highlights include KARC167 23m @ 11,331ppm Nb2O5, 561ppm Ta2O5, 393ppm U3O8 (from 46m) incl. 9m @ 24,119ppm Nb2O5, 1,187ppm Ta2O5, 838ppm U3O8 (from 46m) incl. 2m @ 84,428ppm Nb2O5, 4,400ppm Ta2O5, 2,996ppm U3O8 (from 46m).

The upgrade resource estimate is soon to be completed.

Special Metal Fabrication Show Case

This is a link to our showcase.
It includes The Special Metal Fabrication Plants Machinery, Product Examples, Other Services.
Also you can meet The SMF Team.
http://www.smfuk.co.uk/special-metals-showcase/

Industry Solutions

Specialist Stockist, Suppliers and Manufacturers of Machined and Fabricated products to Glass, Chemical, Aerospace, Medical,Oil, Gas, Pharmaceutical, Defence and Chemical & Electronic Industries.

Product Capability

We have the capacity to manufacture a wide range of parts to any given drawing, sample or customer requirement, using the most up to date Milling, Turning, Welding and Sheet Metal Working equipment available.

We specialize in the manufacture of components to very exacting quality standards, tight tolerance, customer specific requirements and offer a very responsive repair service. We pride ourselves on our levels of customer care and our ‘Total Quality’ approach ensures that our customers receive their orders on time, well packed and in perfect condition.
Special Metals currently carry out fabrication towards some of the following products;

Furnace Heaters
Furnace Units
Glass Furnace Electrodes
Susceptors
Crucibles
Screens
Orifice Plates
Tank Linings
Vertical Strippers
Pump Parts
Discs

Tubes
Rivets
Shell & Tube Heater
Evaporation Boat / Trays
Rod Heaters
Special Vessels
Valve Parts
Venturi
Flame Shields
Bayonet Heaters
Nozzles
Electrode Tips
Heating Elements
Heating and Cooling Coils

Agitators
Spinnerettes
Absorber Columns
Valve Seats
Repair Plugs

Our Machinery

Specialist Stockist, Suppliers & Manufacturers of Machined and Fabricated products in; Molybdenum, Tantalum, Tungsten,Niobium, Zirconium, Titanium, Gold, Silver and Platinum.

HYUNDIA HiT-18 CNC LATHE
Capable of taking bar diameters up to 70mm

EMCO Turn 342 CNC LATHE
Capable of taking bar diameters up to 42mmComplete with 1m automatic bar feed magazine

EMCO Turn 342 CNC LATHE
Capable of taking bar diameters up to 25mmComplete with Sameca 3m automatic bar feeder

BRIDGEPORT VMC760 CNC MACHINING CENTRE

BRIDGEPORT VMC460 CNC MACHINING CENTRE

BRIDGEPORT VMC760 CNC LATHE

XYZ PRO2000 CNC TURRET MILL

EMCO COMPACT CNC LATHE (x 2)

ALFA 400 CNC LATHE

COLCHESTER TRIUMPH 2000 MANUAL LATHE

COLCHESTER CHIPMASTER MANUAL LATHE

GUYSON BEAD BLASTER

VAQUA AQUA BLASTER

VIBRATION RUMBLER

SAFAN BENDING MACHINE

GUILOTENE (x 2)

ADDISON BAND SAW

CHOP SAW

ABRASIVE LINISHING MACHINES x 3

BENCH TYPE PILLAR DRILLS

MILLER SYNCROWAVE 500 (x 2)

FLY PRESS

MUREX MIG WELDER CHALLENGER 400

SPOT WELDER

MITUTOYO PROFILE PROJECTOR

TESA M700 HEIGHT MEASURING INSTRUMENT

What we get up to.

Bead & Aqua Blasting
A recent addition to Special Metals Fabrication facility is the installation of a Guyson bead / grit blaster and a Vaqua aqua blaster.

Aquablasting
Aquablasting is a method of blasting using a very fine media and mixing it with water. This is the ultimate surface impact treatment for stainless steel and other non ferrous metals, leaving a super smooth easy wipe stain resistant finish.

Beadblasting
Beadblasting is done using fine non metallic abrasives to produce a perfectly clean uniform finish, even on the most awkward of shapes. There are several different attractive bead blast finishes we can achieve.Both of the above methods are cost effective and time saving surface preparations. They are a non aggressive cleaning process for corroded, painted and old and tired looking metal items.

Motorcycle and scooter parts: cylinder heads, engine pots, crank cases, forks, wheels, exhausts, frames.

Car parts: Vintage & classic parts, cylinder heads, inlet manifolds, brake drums, master cylinders, wheels.

Marine parts: Propellers, rudders, deck fittings, anchors, outboard parts.

General engineering parts: Fabrications requiring a specific finish, machined parts
Please contact us for quotes on any parts you require finishing.

The Materials

Specialist Stockist, Suppliers & Manufacturers of Machined and Fabricated products in; Molybdenum, Tantalum, Tungsten,Niobium, Zirconium, Titanium, Gold, Silver and Platinum
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a very hard, pure element with an extremely high melting point of around 2620°C, it has a high thermal conductivity and is corrosive resistant to glass and other metals.
Applications include; sintering trays and boats, charge carriers, aerospace parts, plasma spraying nozzles and electrodes, sputtering targets, furnace components, glass stirrers, and medical parts.
Tantalum 
Tantalum is generally made from sintering the powdered ore to produce a metal with an extremely high melting point of approximately 2990°C. It has an excellent resistance to corrosion against molten metals and liquids, is biocompatible and has very high conductivity.include; heat exchanger tubes, charge carriers, capacitors, electrodes and grounding rings, jet engine parts, missile parts and vacuum furnace parts.
Niobium
Niobium has a similar structure to Tantalum and is produced in a similar method. It too has a very high melting point of around 2470°C. It has excellent corrosive resistance and has good cold ductility. It is however half as dense as Tantalum.
Applications include; sintering trays and boats, special chemical applications, superconductors, medical components, jet engine parts and is used in the lighting industry.
Tungsten
Tungsten has the highest melting point of these refractory metals at 3422°C. It is very robust and has an extremely high tensile strength; it has the ability to be drawn into very thin wires. Tungsten’s corrosion resistance is also very good.
Applications include; lighting elements, X-ray targets, heating elements, missile components, and due to its high density is used as counter weights.
Zirconium
Zirconium is a lustrous, greyish-white, soft, ductile, and malleable, it is highly resistant to corrosion by alkalis, acids, salt water, and other agents. The melting point of zirconium is approx 1855°C
Applications include; laboratory crucibles, metallurgical furnaces, surgical appliances, missile components and vacuum tube filaments.

Meet the team

Gary Cook, MD
Gary founded the company in 2004 having worked for many years machining and fabricating refractory metals.Having served a full apprenticeship at Vaccumatic in Harwich and subsequently working for a number of engineering companies including the previous Special Metals Fabrication Company which was taken over by H C Starke. Gary has now 30 years of experience within the engineering market, he has built up a wealth of knowledge within this sector and is now running his own successful business. 

Ken Anderson, Machine Shop Foreman.
Ken is an apprentice served engineer and has worked a total of 36 years within the engineering market including aerospace and general engineering companies. Ken has also worked for 8 years in the refractory metals market at the former Special Metals Fabrication Company which was taken over by H C Starke. Ken is a knowledgeable and experienced machinist. 

Leigh Millham, Machine Operator
Lee operates many of the manual machines we have, he also manages the bead blasting and aqua blasting operation we have recently installed.

Mick Staley, Welder
Mick is a qualified coded welder. He has 40 years of experience working with refractory materials such as Tantalum and Molybdenum. He has spent many years working at H C Starke and Murex..

Dave Edmunds, Sheet Metal Fabricator.Dave has many years knowledge and experience within the refractory metals fabrication market. He is an apprentice served engineer and there are few people with his level of skill in this field of engineering.

Special Metals Fabrication Ltd
Unit 31 Fanton Hall Farm
Wickford
Essex
SS12 9JF

Tel: 01268 761188
Fax: 01268 761722
Email: enquiries@smfuk.co.uk

Welcome to SMF

The history of Special Metals Fabrication Ltd (SMF) can be traced back to 1909 when Murex Ltd was founded on the banks of the river Thames at Rainham in Essex. Murex were pioneers in the extraction and production of refractory metals, especially molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium and zirconium. Processes were developed to produce these metals in sheet and rod form so a machine and fabrication shop was set up to show customers how to use and fabricate these new materials.

In 1969, Harry Hart, the machine shop manager decided that rather than give others the expertise to fabricate the materials it would be profitable to offer a fabrication service. Thus Harry and a few employees of the machine shop left Murex and formed Special Metals Fabrication Ltd. in Romford, England. The company went from strength to strength, moving to bigger premises in Rochford, Essex, England and in 1983 to a site in West Horndon, Brentwood, England.In 1985 the Murex Refractory Metal Division merged with SMF and thus SMF acquired metal rolling facilities as well as extra fabrication equipment and employees.

CSM Industries of Cleveland Ohio, a company also in the refractory metals business bought the company in 1988 and invested heavily in new equipment to make the original SMF one of the largest integrated refractory metal producers, stockists and fabricators in Europe. In 1998 SMF & CSM Industries was bought by H.C. Starck Inc, and the name was formally changed from SMF Ltd to H.C. Stark (West Horndon) Inc. Production continued and as well as stocking and fabricating refractory metals, SMF/HC Starck used their extensive experience in the fabrication of nickel alloys to offer a full design and fabrication service to the chemical, pharmaceutical, furnace, aerospace, defence, nuclear and electronic industries.

In July 2004 the West Horndon plant was officially closed and most of the West Horndon employees were made redundant. Gary Cook, one of the skilled and experienced machinists took this opportunity to set up and establish the new Special Metals Fabrication Ltd at premises based in Wickford.

The new Special Metals Fabrication was thus born and is now a thriving and successful fabrication company with the emphasis on growth. Many of the original West Horndon employees have now joined Gary, each bringing along their unique skills, knowledge and experience to the business. We trust that the above and other information on this site has given you an insight into our capabilities and hope we will be given the opportunity to quote against your present and future enquiries.abilities and hope we will be given the opportunity to quote against your present and future enquiries.