China’s most recent action to limit global shipments of critical minerals in the name of national security came on 14 August, when the country declared export restrictions on antimony.

Antimony is crucial for the defence industry, especially in armour-piercing ammunition, night vision goggles, infrared sensors, bullets and precision optics. The material is also used in the electronics industry, including semiconductors, cables, and batteries. China’s move to restrict antimony exports follows a series of export controls taken in 2023 involving graphite, germanium, gallium, and rare earth processing technologies.

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The US relies on imports for 82% of its antimony demand, with China being the largest supplier at 63%. The US currently stockpiles only 1,100 tonnes (t) of antimony, although its consumption in 2023 was 23,000t.


In conversation with Gary Evans, co-CEO and board member of the US Antimony Corporation, Mining Technology discusses the impact of China’s antimony export restrictions on the US market.

Smruthi Nadig (SN): How does the US currently obtain antimony?

Gary Evans (GE): Our governments are getting a lot of antimony from China. China controls 55% of the world supply. More importantly, they control 70 plus % of the midstream, which is the flotation and antimony smelting. [China’s] announcement a few weeks ago…has created quite a quagmire in the world

We are the only smelter in North America and now have a flotation facility that we leased about three weeks ago. We [can] take concentrate, or antimony that’s subpar, and bring it to our flotation facility, bring that concentrate level up to munitions grade – which is in our smelters about 70% – and make the finished [metal] product.