Tailings fetch high prices in Asia

(Special from The Mining and Milling Gazette —  August 10, 2015)

(Hong Kong) Western Colorado tailings, a bi-product of mining, are demanding exorbitant prices in China and Japan where the residue is considered an aphrodisiac.
Ironically the substances are selling for high prices now that the supply has been diminished by cleanups, burials and denials. According to black market sources, a gram of slime or slickens can bring as much as $2000 while it is basically worthless at the point of origin.
While poaching has yet to become an issue, state and federal authorities are on the lookout for criminal activities above timberline.
“The poachers will focus on higher, out-of-the-way places where they can fill their pickups and pockets with the stuff that, these days, has more inherent value than gold.
Sadly for the environment both molybdenum and uranium tailings are even more of a “delicacy” in Taiwan and South Korea. Efforts to control the mining of these elements have been badly crushed with the onset of such improbable profits. It is not clear if this reality will usher in more extractions in this arena.
Entrepreneurs in the United States have begun a powerful ad campaign aimed at convincing the population that the sale of tailings is good for the economy and will not further damage the planet.
“That’s what the oil companies told us about fracking and now look at all the polluted ground water,” said one activist.
The tailings market is estimated to bring in more money than tourism and pot sales combined. Many people in Asia are convinced that the tailings enhance and improve sexual performance in both male and female consumers.
“Sure it can get messy but with the state of the deficit I think we can make an exception here,” said one Congressional petroleum puppet. “It is rare when we have the opportunity to profit by selling something that we have identified as toxic.”
Local leaders have considered posting armed guards at various tailings ponds in the region. Others insist that the opportunity to purge us from this lingering blight should not be overlooked, especially at $56,000 an ounce.
– Uncle Pahgre