Mechanic's 1 year chart shows some necessary consolidation of the price. I think values of most commodities increased due to inflationary pressure from the quantitative easing policies of the central banks. Too much paper money in the system drove prices higher. We have likely reached a new normal in commodity prices. When the global economies pick up again, copper is probably poised for greater increases from stronger industrial demand.



I'm small time, but I turn in my steel more frequently just because it takes up so much room. Cu pile in motors, transformers, and wire is getting pretty large, but will require an extra step of processing to maximize profit from it. Rather than take the time to get it out, I usually work at bringing in new material to tear down. So I guess I am hoarding by default.