Jacques Astier passed away in early 2012. He was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Mineral Economics/Raw Materials Report already from our early days in the 1980s. We will miss his sharp analysis, long experience and vast network of contacts all over the world. Was there a steel mill he had not visited? Definitely not one in Europe at least. He made numerous study trips to both China and India and acted as a consultant and advisor in the early days, long before these countries started booming.

In late 2011, at the age of 88 (!), he sent us two articles: one full paper on the Evolution of iron ore prices and one shorter comment to developments in India. Due to mishandling by the Editors, they did not pass through our system before Jacques Astier died. The comment on India has been published elsewhere, while the full-length paper has been peer reviewed and edited. We are very happy and proud to be able to present it to our readers in spite of this delay. In this thought-provoking article, his ability to come to exiting and clear conclusions based even on limited facts is vividly demonstrated.

Magnus Ericsson

Stockholm 2015 02 12

Editor in chief