"Demand from investors is off the charts right now and there are extreme shortages of investment grade silver and gold products being reported from all over the world. As a result of these shortages the metals are effectively being withheld from investors and diverted to insiders and industrial users who deal in the large quantities and sizes"

If I was in charge of a PM mining company, I would want to get the best price possible for concentrate or refined metal for obvious reasons. It appears that two distinct market prices for Silver & Gold are developing - one based on manipulated paper for the benefit of industrial users and the other based on demand from bullion hungry investors who are willing to pay a substantial premium. It occurs to me that someone inevitably has to step up to fill the void of growing investment demand, so it is surprising that the mining industry has not yet stepped up to the plate - one which promises a market that yields much higher profits. I can understand why some miners might hesitate in that they might have long-term contracts in place that cannot be broken. Or perhaps they might worry that investment demand will eventually fade (yeah right), eliminating shortages of physical in the process, and thus want to stick with Industrial users who guarantee to purchase all of the company's production going forward. At any rate I believe it's important we investor types support direct sales of bullion from PM miners to show them that we are willing and able to support these alternative sales programs, and are a viable long-term customer. I would love to see more companies like First Majestic pour 100 ounce Silver bars, instead of rounds, 'cause I think they'd fly off the shelves at a good preimum above Crimex prices, but they're off to a good start nonetheless.

eg. http://www.firstmajestic.com/s/Order...