First-half Losses Widen at Thor Mining

AIM-listed mineral and development companyThor Mining has unveiled its half yearly report for the six months ended December 31st showing an operating loss of 750,000 pounds. 

The group reported a loss for the period of $744,000, compared to a loss of $469,000 in the six months ended December 31st 2011.

An impairment of exploration assets was recorded at 259,000compared to $117,000 in the corresponding period one year earlier. 

A basic loss per share of 0.09p was recorded. 

Thor Mining reported that it was "well positioned for discussions with third parties on potential off-take agreements for the Molyhil Tungsten project." 

     

It said that it had funding throughout the period with a A$1m secured debt facility from a private investor and the group reported a resource upgrade at its Spring Hill gold project. 

In its review of operations, the company stated: The company has continued to make progress on its projects and whilst this has been slow and at times frustrating, the company remains well positioned in its discussions with third parties on potential off-take agreements for the Molyhil Tungsten project and the prospects for Spring Hill and Dundas continuing to improve. 

He reported a resource upgrade at the Spring Hill gold project and elevated levels of nickel and copper being found at Dundas. Importantly, the company has been able to attract additional funds to progress these projects and the directors were delighted to recently announce further funding after the period end."

 

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Tungsten USB Flashlights

Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) expanded its Tungsten light family with the introduction of the new Tungsten USB.

The Tungsten USB can be recharged on the go using a laptop computer or any micro USB cellphone charger.

ASP's Transitional Lights are intermediate size lights with full size performance. They have machined grips and advanced user interfaces.

Powered by ASP's custom-made 18650-Lithium Ion battery, the Tungsten USB's latest XPG2 LED light produces a powerful 275 lumens of ultra-white light with a continuous runtime of approximately three hours. The Tungsten USB's battery has a protection circuit module to prevent overcharging or short–circuiting, and the battery indicator on the light blinks red when charging and turns solid green when fully charged.  

      

The linear form factor of the Tungsten USB makes it easily carried lens up or lens down. It’s built with precision-machined high strength aluminum with a Type 3 matte black, hard coat anodized finish. It has a 3-position switch (intermittent, locking and constant-on). The center locking position guards against accidental activation.

The Tungsten USB comes with a detachable and reversible pocket clip, a Micro USB to USB retractable cord, a car charger, a wall charger and a zippered travel case. The MSRP is $105.

 

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
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China Plus One Strategy: A Window of Opportunity

China holds a commanding position in world economy. Its economy has grown immensely since1978, when it launched its "reform and opening-up" strategy. It is now the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP and by purchasing power parity, next only to the United States according to a report "Gauging china's influence" published by the international monetary fund (IMF) in December 2010. Its real gross domestic product has grown by about 10 per cent annually, implying a doubling every seven to eight years.

China's share of world GDP and trade is rising rapidly. It is increasing its linkages with the rest of the world. Its share in world trade has increased nearly tenfold over the past three decades, to about 9 per cent, while its share in world GDP has risen to 13 per cent from less than 3 per cent during the period, according to IMF. Flows of trade and capital between china and the rest of the world are causing growth in other countries. 

Many countries were drawn to invest in china for its cheap labor and strong infrastructure like roads, ports, airports and energy systems. It has also flourished in energy and mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, crude petroleum, natural gas, antimony ore, tin, tungsten, salt, vanadium and molybdenum. China is also gifted with ample potentials for hydroelectric resources because of its river network and mountain terrain.

Lately, however, the pattern of investment in China is undergoing a change, due mainly to hike in wage structure-- approximately 25 per cent a year in major industry sectors. China is also experiencing some worrying inflationary trends right now that are pushing up the prices of everything from a bowl of rice to apartment rentals. Added to that, China unified its corporate income tax system last year, bringing the previous low rates that foreign businesses enjoyed in some cases from 15 to 25 per cent. 

That is why, it has become a matter of concern for the foreign investors to consider finding out another country which can supplement their investment decisions. China plus One or China +1 is an international business strategy that consists of the expansion of one company's current operations in China, say, to a Southeast Asian nation as there is a proverb "don't put your all eggs in a single basket". Many countries are now looking for a country having low wage rate, strong infrastructure and a suitable atmosphere for business. Vietnam in this case is fast coming up to prove itself as a decent destination of realising the need of a second country to invest.

Many countries are now contemplating to exploit the prospects of investing in Vietnam. "A lot of contact manufacturers have moved to Vietnam," said the CEO for the Asia-Pacific region at DB Schenker (subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG that focuses on logistics). "The country has moved beyond its early cargo base and increasingly takes care of electronics manufacturing, a trend that has been stoked further by many companies' 'China plus one' strategy,'' he added.

Japan's Yusen Air and Sea Service last year opened an office and a 64,000 sq ft warehouse near Hanoi. Vietnam signed an aviation bilateral with the US which also gives designated airlines the right to carry cargo to and from third countries. FedEx boosted its lift four-fold last year when it upgraded to A310F aircraft to serve Vietnam. It is visible that investment in Vietnam is increasing day by day. In every manufacturing sector foreign investments are rising at great speed.

But the question is why Bangladesh is unable to grip the opportunity. Bangladesh also has the advantage of low wage and abundant manpower. Understandably, the problems for Bangladesh very often pointed out include its deficient infrastructure, unskilled manpower, political instability and last but not the least, volatile capital market. The problems are daunting to find a quick remedy. But in the absence of corrective measures, the situation will further worsen in the days to come. Given the opportunity, it is in the interest of the nation that the policymakers should chalk out a roadmap so that some visible improvements are in place before it is too late.

 

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TIBO Lighting Range Receives' Etoile du SIEL' Award in Paris

The TIBO range of luminaires from the French lighting manufacturer Robert Juliat has received the Etoile du SIEL award at the SIEL show in Paris.

Introducing the Creative Concept Light, the new TIBO range offers a mix and match choice of lightsource (LED, tungsten halogen or discharge), lens type (Fresnel or profile) and dramatic or conventional body colours. These various lighting schemes with new design elements can be used in theatre, architecture, display or for retail purposes.

The new additions to the range include two new profiles with options for HID discharge or variable white LED light sources, and a Fresnel version available with the full range of tungsten halogen, discharge or LED sources.

       

Prototype of the new ZEP 150W LED Fresnel, the new lighting scheme on the stand is based on the ZEP profile technology. Its 150W LED engine is available in two colour temperatures (3200K and 6000K) and complements the ZEP 640 profile series. It features a large 200mm lens, which maximises light output and its 360° rotating barn doors, low energy consumption and low maintenance requirements make it suitable for television studios, theatres, events and architectural use.

All of these new models will be officially launched at 2013 Prolight & Sound, Frankfurt. Robert Juliat’s followspots have been represented on the stand with the FLO 1800W MSR short throw (13°-24°) model.

 

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Future Looks Dim for Energy-wasting Bulbs

Environment minister Wong Kam-sing hopes to reach agreement within the next two months over the phasing out of incandescent lightbulbs.

"A public consultation was launched in 2011 to phase out incandescent lightbulbs, starting with the least energy-efficient types first," Wong said after a public event to promote energy efficiency yesterday.

The European Union and countries such as Switzerland and Australia have been phasing out incandescent lightbulbs since last year. The United States and Malaysia are due to follow suit next year.         

Wong said the Environment Bureau has opted for a "charter plan" rather than legislation to achieve this.

"After studying comments by the public, we have chosen a charter plan under which an agreement will be reached with lightbulb traders to stop supplies," he said.

"Lightbulbs will be phased out entirely," said Wong, adding the exact time frame will be agreed by both sides. "The government is finalizing details with traders."

When asked if the scheme will be voluntary, he said there is a wide consensus in the industry to phase out such bulbs.

"I am optimistic since both the public and the trade share in the importance of saving energy," Wong added.

It is proposed the sale of incandescent lightbulbs, of 25 watts or more, will be banned if they fail to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard.

         

In his policy address in 2009, then chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen proposed a cash coupon scheme in which the public would receive HK$100 coupons to exchange for energy- saving lightbulbs.

But the scheme never took off and it was scrapped.

The Energy Saving and Environment Concern Alliance welcomes the "charter" plan.

"At least we are seeing the government take this a step further," said a spokesman for the alliance, adding that it is a good development.

According to the alliance, some lightbulbs such as the tungsten halogen lamps, widely used in commercial displays, will be temporarily exempted from the ban as there is no effective substitute.

The alliance said instead of switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, consideration should be given to switching to LED bulbs that have longer life and may be 10 times more efficient than incandescent ones.

Some industry experts believe that within 10 years, LED bulbs will save more energy than other green technologies including high-voltage power transmission, electric vehicles, smart grids or renewable power.

 

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
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