The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on August 15 that it will impose export controls on antimony and related products.
The ministry spokesman said the antimony export controls will come into effect on September 15 to “protect national security and interests and to comply with international obligations such as non-proliferation.” Those who plan to export the mineral in various forms will have to apply for a permit.
The extent to which exports would be restricted was not immediately clear, although the term “non-proliferation” indicated it could include weapons-related applications, AP News said.
China has restricted antimony products such as ore, ingots and oxides. Exporters must obtain licenses for dual-use items and technologies with military and civilian applications. In China, this application process generally takes two to three months, Reuters reported.
According to the ministry, the restrictions also apply to the technology for smelting and separating gold antimony.
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry definition, antimony is a semimetal. In its metallic state, it has a silvery appearance and is both hard and brittle. The electronics industry uses antimony to produce certain semiconductor devices, such as infrared detectors and diodes.
Manufacturers combine antimony with lead or other metals to improve toughness and durability. Batteries, for example, use a lead-antimony alloy. Antimony alloys also find applications in type metal (used in printing presses), bullets, and cable sheathing.
China has experienced a significant decline in antimony mine production in recent years. Despite this, China remained the world’s largest antimony producer last year, accounting for 48% of global mine production, according to the US Geological Survey.
In July 2023, China’s Ministry of Commerce imposed restrictions on gallium and germanium exports on national security grounds. The move, widely seen as a response to U.S. restrictions on technology sales and transfers to China, targets key elements of the U.S. supply chain, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“China to restrict antimony exports from September 15” was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData brand.
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