The following article explains that Vale is the world's largest iron ore shipper in the world, and that they are having 12 of the largest ever custom built ore carrying ships built in order to try and meet China's growing demand for ore to make steel. This is further confirmation that China, the largest consumer of steel making ore (which also includes chromium and nickel for the more popular forms of steel, and for all stainless steel) is expected to maintain high demand for iron, chromium and nickel in years to come despite an economic slowdown or recession in the U.S. or Europe (as has been pointed out by many here with nice articles contributed). Vale, Xstrata, BHP Billiton, etc., will continue to grow and make money and will need more sources of the ores necessary to fuel China's growing demand. This guarantees that we are going to have some very motivated bidders for our Ring of Fire properties. Click on link below to view article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080804/...