Part 1 Markets and trading: origins of the base metals trade - background, history, recent developments; geopolitics of the precious metals trade - position of base metals trade in world economy, international distribution, the political dimension; the markets - physical markets, futures markets, other derivative markets; the market participants - the mining sector, the production sector, brokers, dealers, the end-use industries, the investment sector, governments; trading techniques and strategies - spot trading; forward trading, futures trading, risk management, forecasting techniques; administration and management - budgeting and cash flow, contracts, shipping, financing, record keeping; accounting and tax considerations - UK, USA, Europe, Far East, other key markets; the legal and regulatory framework - law relating to base metals, regulation relating to base metals, compliance. Part 2 The metals: aluminium; copper; lead and zinc; nickel; tin.