Silver Shortage Looms. High-Speed Rail Expansion Threatens Precious Metal Supply
Silver Rush: High-Speed Rail Sparks Mining Boom and Highlights Critical Mineral's Importance
As governments worldwide channel substantial funds into transportation infrastructure, rail megaprojects have emerged.
Rail projects are promoted for having lower CO2 emissions compared to carbon-intensive road transport. Still, of course, there are significant challenges adhering to budgets and timelines, as exemplified by the following seven essential rail megaprojects currently under construction:
7.) Dankal Tel Aviv Light Rail, Israel: US$13 billion
Purple and Green lines complement the existing Red line.
Green line: 39km (24.2 miles) with 62 stops; scheduled for completion by 2027.
Purple line: 27km (16.8 miles) with 43 stops; will be operational by 2027.
Light TLV consortium awarded a €1 billion contract for the Purple line; completion includes 25 years of maintenance
Electra, Alstom, and Dan Public Transportation consortium secured a €2.6 billion contract for the Green Line.
Estimated total cost: US$13 billion.
6.) Suburban Rail Loop East, Melbourne, Australia: US$19.4-22.3 billion
Part of a 90km-long (55.9 miles) orbital railway network around Melbourne.
SRL East connects Cheltenham to Box Hill; completion by 2035.
Acciona, Cimic Group's CPB Contractors, and Ghella were selected for the first major tunneling package.
Major tunneling works are expected to commence in 2026.
Total project completion in the 2050s.
5.) Tel Aviv Metro, Israel: US$40 billion
Three lines totaling 150km.
M1 Line (85km): Connects northern and southern regions; expected to operate by 2032.
M2 Line (26km): Connects eastern regions to central and south Tel Aviv.
M3 Line (39km): Connects employment centers on the metropolitan inner ring border.
The Metro system is expected to start running in 2032.
4.) Grand Paris Express, France: US$48 billion
Europe's largest transport infrastructure project.
Four new lines, 68 stations, and a 14km viaduct.
Tunnelling started in 2018; the first extension of Métro Line 14 opened in 2024.
Four new lines in service between 2025 and 2030
3.) Chūō Shinkansen, Japan: US$64.4 billion
286km (177.7 miles) high-speed maglev rail line between Tokyo and Nagoya.
Extension to Osaka planned.
Construction challenges, delays, and controversies; Nagoya-Osaka extension expected by 2037.
Multiple contractors, including Taisei, Kajima, Obayashi, and Shimizu.
2.) High Speed 2 (HS2), UK: US$122 billion
Second high-speed rail line in the UK; under construction but over budget.
Phase 1 (London to Birmingham) completion between 2029 and 2033.
Phase 2a (West Midlands to Crewe) was delayed for two years.
Phase 2b (Crewe to Manchester) may not open until 2035 or 2041.
Budget overruns: projected costs rose from £42.6 billion (2013) to £98 billion (2020).
1.) California High-Speed Rail, USA: US$128 billion
Construction began in 2015; aims for speeds of up to 350km/h (217mph)
The Central Valley line (119 miles) is under construction and is due for completion by 2020.
Extension to the entire 171-mile Merced-Bakersfield segment prioritized.
Rising costs and delays; estimated total cost surged from $33 billion (2008) to $128 billion.
Construction packages led by Tutor Perini, Dragados, Flatiron, and California Rail Builders; challenges in full completion.
Silver is a key mineral in electric trains.
Electroplating: Silver coats components in electroplating, enhancing electrical conductivity and ensuring robust connections in the rail and transportation industry.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs): Exceptional thermal and electrical properties make silver ideal for surface finishes on PCBs, optimizing electrical connections in electronic components.
Electrical Connectors: Silver is employed in manufacturing electrical connectors, enhancing the conductivity of vital connections in electric trains.
Anti-Corrosion: Acting as an anti-corrosion agent, silver helps maintain the integrity of components, ensuring durability in diverse environmental conditions.
Thermal Conductivity: Leveraging its high thermal conductivity, silver efficiently dissipates heat in electric train components, preventing overheating.
Sensors: Silver's electrical properties in sensor applications contribute to accurate and responsive sensing functions within electric trains.
Various Other Uses: Silver has diverse applications beyond the mentioned, collectively making it indispensable in electric trains' construction and performance optimization.
Drumroll Please ……………
#1 USE OF SILVER IN ELECTRIC TRAINS
Maglev Technology.
Millions of Ounces of Silver Used.
Maglev trains utilize two sets of electromagnets: one set to repel and push the train up off the track, and another set to move the train forward along the guideway. The absence of physical contact between the train and the track reduces friction, allowing maglev trains to achieve higher speeds and operate more efficiently. Some maglev trains incorporate wheels and function like linear motor-propelled wheeled vehicles at slower speeds but levitate at higher speed
Problem: Silver Supply Shrinking. Silver Demand Soaring.
Global mined silver production is expected to fall 2% year-on-year to 820Moz in 2023, driven by lower output from operations in Mexico and Peru. The good news is that Columbia offers several mining districts to increase Global Silver Supply.
Global Markets in Desperate Need of New Silver Deposits. The Solution is Identifying and Advancing High-Grade Silver.
Monstrous Silver Deficits and Soaring Demand Fuel Silver Rush 2.0
Check Out Outcrop Silver & Gold (TSXV: OCG) (OTCQX: OCGSF) (FSE: MRG)
Outcrop Silver and Gold CEO Ian Harris visits with Pixy St. Claire
The interview discusses Outcrop Silver & Gold projects in Columbia and the plan to create value for shareholders over the short and long term.
Conclusion
Unveiling the Hidden Demand for Silver in Aerospace, Military, Robotics, Satellites, and High-Speed Electric Trains
In recent years, the demand for silver has surged due to its versatility and diverse applications across various industries. However, a closer examination reveals that a significant portion of silver usage goes undetected and unaccounted for. This is particularly revealing in sectors like aerospace, military, robotics, satellites, and high-speed electric trains, where silver is extensively employed but often overlooked in official statistics.
Tomorrow, we will discuss the use of silver in technologies like superconductors.
These numbers are being adjusted as the Silver Star Academy Research project continues to gather more data.
These numbers below need to be corrected.
