The mining group reported a 22% fall in first-half profit as metals prices fell and spoke of near-term uncertainty, but said it was confident about demand in the long run.

WSJ: European Stocks Rise as Markets Close

Worse, the commodities bubble burst: metals prices fell by over half between March and November 2008.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Among investors these days, a fellow commodity bull is about as rare as finding a positive story in the media, especially when you look at the results of metals and natural resources during the first half of 2012.

FORBES: Ultra Low Intrest Rates Clinch Bullish Case For Dividends, Commodities

China produces some 90% of the global supply of rare earth metals today, but sits atop only about half of the world's estimated reserves of the elements.

WSJ: Business Asia: Postcards From the Rare-Earth Front

Currently, more than half of all states have an exemption on sales taxes on precious-metals products, she said.

FORBES: Interview: ICTA Focused On Sales Taxes, Precious-Metal Coin Counterfeiting

Approximately half of the alumina produced is used internally in the downstream division of primary metals.

FORBES: Alcoa Can't Wait But You Should Before You Buy

The conclusion seems to be that almost all metals will have an impressive year, but that the sure investment will be the first half of 2011.

FORBES: Watch Out In Iron Ore, Coal, Copper When Easy Money Policies Are Done, Says Rio Tinto