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The end of a boom

Production is up, demand has slackened, politics are difficult and hopes are high

Africa's mining houses expect their fortunes to dip over the next three years, as new production increases supply. In 2005, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit in London, metals prices will rise 0.9 per cent from their 2004 levels, then fall by 8.7 per cent in 2006 and by a further 7.7 per cent in 2007. The EIU forecasts that the only price rise will be in gold, by 5.5 per cent in 2005, mainly because the US dollar will fall even further....

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The end of a boom

Production is up, demand has slackened, politics are difficult and hopes are high

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