Sep 15, 2010 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Popular trends in the mineral sector are keeping pace as gold prices broke $1270 today followed by record antimony prices driven by increased demand worldwide. As reported, gold prices were exploding today as investors turned to gold as a safe-haven after a stream of disappointing economic data. Per news released this morning, Gold for December delivery was adding $25.90 to $1273.40 an ounce aEUR" a record high aEUR" at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Investors continue to take notice of gold stocks as trends continue to favor this sector. In particular, we continue to cover Silverado Gold Mines Ltd (OTCBB: SLGLF) who owns properties in Alaska where they have discovered significant inferred gold and antimony.

Antimony is quickly becoming the in-demand industrial mineral worldwide, and China is at the forefront. China is now also the largest importer of ores and concentrates, and its own domestic demand has also become the worldaEUR(TM)s largest. This solid foundation for the antimony industry has reawakened interest in antimony resources in Australia, North America, Latin America, Russia and elsewhere. New projects are also under development which require the little-known substance.

Antimony prices are at record levels advancing from $4,000 per tonne (2200 lbs.) in early 2009 to $9,800 per tonne in July 2010 according to Martin Hayes, chief correspondent of TheBullionDesk.com, a London metals trading company. Additional citations from a report at Roskill.com outlines Antimony growth and its uses:

aEURc Flame retardants account for about 70% of primary antimony demand and 90% of the demand for antimony trioxide.

aEURc Structural changes in the antimony sector, which began in the late 1990s, arose with growing exports from China of antimony trioxide at the expense of antimony metal.

aEURc The fact that mine production outside of China will be required to meet future demand

According to a release by Silverado Gold Mines Ltd on September 10, 2010 aEUR" The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that China, the worldaEUR(TM)s largest producer of antimony, produced 170,000 tonnes of antimony out of a total 2009 global output of 187,000 tonnes. Currently, Chinese smelters are being rebuilt to upgrade scrubbing systems (pollution controls) and mine production is off dramatically due to mine closures on account of a number of major mining accidents in the last year. This is also the case in South Africa.

As demand for antimony increases, industrial nations could look for foreign purchases from companies like Silverado Gold Mines Ltd., which has shown gold production in the past - with their antimony deposits lying in wait.

Canadian stocks gained for a third day as gold producers rose on record bullion prices and banks rallied after U.S. retail sales exceeded economist forecasts. Gold companies make up 11 percent of Canadian stocks by market value, according to Bloomberg data.

Other Gold stocks in the news continue to rise Agnico-Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) was rising 4.1% to $67.43 while Yamana Gold

(AUY) up 5% to $10.62. New Gold Inc. (AMEX: NGD) is climbing .21

Additional sources:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-07/antimony-may-extend-rally-after-reaching-china-record.html

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10860015/1/gold-prices-surge-higher-top-1260.html

http://www.roskill.com/reports/minor-and-light-metals/antimony