Rise of the ferrous metals - infrastructure and machinery squeeze helps push base prices higher

Jamie Wynn-Williams and Sara Utecht find perspectives on base metals' run is divided but addition to demand and constriction on supply show no sign of easing

A global squeeze on mining machinery and poor infrastructure to transport base metals to ports have been key problems tipping the supply/demand equation out of equilibrium, according to Dan McAlister of Ermitage Group.

The vice-president of hedge fund research says he feels there have been many problems on the supply side, one being a lack of readily available mining equipment.

"Even with the equipment required for mining, there is a backlog on demand for it," he says. "For example, look at metal