The price of zinc this morning hit the one dollar per pound mark for the first time in three years. While the fundamentals behind zinc are better than for other non-financial metals, the trend toward higher prices should eventually draw up the the others.

By the way, and a bit off topic, there was a 5.2 Richter scale earthquack centered about 70 miles NNE of Tombstone just a few days ago. It was followed soon after by several more in the mid-to-lower 3's. No reports of damage as the epicenter (where ground shaking would have been the strongest) was in a remote and mountainous area well north of Interstate 10, near the border with New Mexico.

While some people in Tucson and Superior reported feeling the shaking, it should have easily been felt in Tombstone and the Hay Mountain area. Odds are that this minor swarm will cease very soon - latest recoding at 8:40 am yesterday - and have no long term implications on mining or other activities in the area.

As it happens, I watch daily earthquake reports, and will update on this story if and when appropriate.

VP