History and Change

Minor Metals behind a modern world

MMTA Chairman Guy Darby

The Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) was founded in 1973 in a period when so-called ‘byproduct’ metals were just starting to be used in growing mass applications. Who could then have envisaged a world in which minor metals would be in applications that affect every walk of life? From iPods to Mobile phones, from turbine blades to flat screens.

From just seven elements covered at the outset – Antimony, Magnesium, Nickel (not then traded on the LME and still regarded a minor metal!), cadmium, bismuth, selenium and mercury, the scope of minor metals trade activity today has increased dramatically.

Industries that have led the application of minor metals – and thus also the trade in them – include super-alloys, master-alloys, optics, opto-electronics, catalysts, electronic pastes and a host of applications that make what we understand to be the modern world.

In those early days it was necessary to establish clear trading rules and these were developed incorporating the Uniform Law for International Sales (1980) under the United Nations Convention. The rules that now govern the trade in minor metals may be viewed by visiting the "Trade Regulations" section of this website.

The MMTA is the world’s largest association involved with Minor Metals. From just 19 founding members, the MMTA is now comprised of 120 companies from 30 countries trading in metals with a collective annual worth of in excess of USD 10 billion. These metals are as diverse as Zirconium, Hafnium, Strontium and Rhenium – as well as all the traditional by-product metals such as Molybdenum, Tungsten or Indium.

Solar cells use minor metals.

By joining the MMTA you join a group of like-minded consumers, producers, traders and service companies who all share an interest in the free movement of minor metals in an orderly market.

The MMTA works together with and on behalf of its members addressing issues that affect our industry using the collective depth of its membership to deal with legislation. In Europe, metals have been swept into a law called the EU Chemical Directive (REACH) which is perhaps the largest challenge to face the MMTA and its members.

The Committee of the MMTA, made up of representatives from member companies is there to lobby, monitor and advise on this issue and indeed any other issue that may affect the membership.

The MMTA also organizes a diverse number of social events, the flagship of which is THE minor metal conference which combines quality presentations with unrivalled networking opportunities. Our annual dinner held during LME week regularly attracts 250 industry participants and is complimented by our quarterly luncheons which combines good food, good company with a keynote speaker. For details on all these events please click on event listing on this website.

So why not join us? If you have any involvement in the minor metal business you should consider joining this centre of excellence. For more information please contact our Executive at the MMTA offices details of which you can find on this website.

Yours sincerely,

Guy Darby
Chairman, Minor Metals Trade Association