Investing in Antimony





Antimony is a metalloid. The most important use of antimony is as a lead hardener in batteries. It is also used in ceramics, paints, enamels, flame-proofing, electronics, rubber, and a wide variety of alloys. China is the world's leading producer of Antimony, with over 80% of global production. Their largest mine is the Xikuangshan mine in Hunan Province. Lead-antimony alloys are used in ammunition, antifrictionbearings, cable sheaths, corrosion-resistant pumps and pipes,roof sheet solder, and tank lining. Antimony trioxide is usedto enhance the flame-retardant properties of plastics, rubber andtextiles, and other combustibles. Antimony is also used asa decolorizing and refining agent in the manufacture of someforms of glass, such as optical glass.

In 2009, about 35% of the primary antimony used in theUnited States went into flame retardants; most of the restwas used by the ceramic, chemical, glass, and transportationindustries. Secondary antimony, which was derivedalmost entirely from recycled lead-acid batteries and containedin antimonial lead, was used in the manufacture of newbatteries. Lead-antimony alloys were used in ammunition, antifrictionbearings, cable sheaths, corrosion-resistant pumps and pipes,roof sheet solder, and tank lining. Antimony trioxide was usedto enhance the flame-retardant properties of plastics, rubber andtextiles, and other combustibles. Antimony was also used asa decolorizing and refi ning agent in the manufacture of someforms of glass, such as optical glass.

Recycling: Traditionally, the bulk of secondary antimony has been recovered as antimonial lead, most of which was generated by and then consumed by the battery industry. Changing trends in that industry in recent years, however, have generally reduced the amount of secondary antimony produced; the trend to low-maintenance batteries has tilted the balance of consumption away from antimony and toward calcium as an additive.

Import Sources (2006–09): Metal: China, 68%; Mexico, 14%; Peru, 8%; and other, 10%. Ore and concentrate: Bolivia, 59%; China, 28%; and other, 13%. Oxide: China, 53%; Mexico, 32%; Belgium, 8%; and other, 7%. Total: China, 56%; Mexico, 28%; Belgium, 7%; and other, 9%.

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2010, antimony production from domestic source materials was derived mostly from the recycling of lead-acid batteries. Recycling supplied only a minor portion of estimated domestic consumption, and the remainder came from imports. In recent years, the number of primary antimony smelters has been reduced, as smelters in New Jersey and Texas were closed in 2004. Only one domestic smelter in Montana continued to make antimony products. This domestic smelter, through its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, received approval to build an ore-processing plant near its antimony-silver deposit in Mexico. The antimony materials produced there would provide feedstock for the Montana facility.

Two actions caused production reductions in China, the world’s leading antimony producer. In March, the Government stated it would not approve any new projects for antimony before June 30, 2011; also in March, the Government shut down about 100 antimony smelters in China’s dominant antimony-producing region, an action aimed at closing illegal mines and curbing pollution.The price of antimony rose substantially during 2010. The price started the year at about $2.90 per pound and finished October at about $5.25 per pound. Industry observers attributed the strong price increase to production interruptions in China.Several new antimony mine projects were being developed in Australia, Canada, and Laos.

World Resources: U.S. resources of antimony are mainly in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. Principal identified world resources are in Bolivia, China, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Additional antimony resources may occur in Mississippi Valley-type lead deposits in the Eastern United States.

Substitutes: Compounds of chromium, tin, titanium, zinc, and zirconium substitute for antimony chemicals in paint, pigments, and enamels. Combinations of cadmium, calcium, copper, selenium, strontium, sulfur, and tin can be used as substitutes for hardening lead. Selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminum oxide are widely accepted substitutes as flame retardants.

Antimony Producers
Adroit Resources (CVE: ADT)
American Elements - http://www.americanelements.com/sb.html - Antimony metal, antimony oxide, antimony sulfide, antimony iodide, potassium antimonyl tartrate, antimony polycrystalline ingots and chunks, antimony targets and shaped charges, antimony selenide polycrystalline ingots and chunks, antiomony selenide targets and shaped charges, antimony telluride polycrystalline ingots and chunks, and antimony telluride targets and shaped charges.
Anchor Resources - Bielsdown antimony project in New South Wales
Chenzhou Mining Group - Zhazixi Antimony Mine in Anhua, Hunan Province, China
China Antimony Chemicals Co., Ltd. - http://www.chinaantimony.com.cn/ - Specializing in the production of high quality antimony trioxide.
China Minmetals Non-ferrous Metals Co., Ltd. - http://www.cmnltd.com/
Campine Group N.V. (EBR: CAM) - This Belgium-based company produces antimony oxides.
Hunan Nonferrous Metals - Beaver Brook Antimony Mine in Gander, Newfoundland
Mountain Lake Resources (CVE: MOA) - Little River Property in Newfoundland, Canada
Village Main (JNB: VIL) - Consolidated Murchison antimony and gold mine near Gravelotte in Limpopo province, South Africa
IQE plc (LON: IQE)
Planet Resource Recovery (PINK: PRRY) - Sorpresa antimony mine in Bolivia
Silverado Gold Mines (OTC: SLGLF) - Nolan Creek gold-antimony prospect in northern Alaska
Tri-Star Resources (LON: TSTR) - Goynuk antimony mine in Gediz, Turkey
United States Antimony Corporation (OTC: UAMY) - http://www.usantimony.com/ - produces and sells antimony products from its mine in the Burns Mining District, Sanders County, Montana.

Antimony Mining - http://www.infomine.com/commodities/antimony.asp

International Antimony Association - http://www.iaoia.org/

(wiki) - Antimony on Wikipedia

Antimony News
2011-07-10 - (mb) - US antimony slips, traders wait for bottom
2011-07-08 - (mb) - Tide turns on antimony amid rumours of customs crackdown
2011-07-05 - (mw) - U.S. Antimony presenting at Global Hunter conference
2011-07-04 - (mb) - China antimony prices in first increase since May
2011-07-01 - (pi) - Tri-Star extends exploration area at Goynuk antimony project
2011-06-28 - (mw) - Portage Minerals Inc signs letter of intent for Bald Hill Antimony Project
2011-06-27 - (mb) - Weaker domestic antimony prices confirm supplier fears
2011-06-23 - (mb) - China antimony prices slide in 'horrible' market
2011-06-22 - (mb) - Antimony fall reaches terminal velocity, offers slump 10%
2011-06-21 - (sa) - US Antimony: Plenty of reserves of a rapidly vanishing metal
2011-06-21 - (mb) - US antimony seen under pressure
2011-06-17 - (im) - Major producers cause concern in antimony trioxide market
2011-06-15 - (mb) - Antimony falls as nervous Chinese traders destock
2011-06-10 - (for) - Is tiny United States Antimony the next Molycorp?
2011-05-31 - (ind) - Latest antimony trioxide prices suggest market is stabilising
2011-05-31 - (bw) - Continued smelters clampdowns force antimony prices boost according to Merchant Research & Consulting Ltd.
2011-05-25 - (mb) - Chinese smelters may turn screw on antimony market
2011-05-26 - (msn) - Mountain Lake commences drilling on antimony +/- gold targets on the Little River property in Southern Newfoundland
2011-05-24 - (sa) - US Antimony: A hidden monopoly far ahead of any competition
2011-05-23 - (ts) - U.S. Antimony reports Mexican mill and exploration progress
2011-05-20 - (mb) - European trioxide grade antimony rises after prompt purchase
2011-05-19 - (im) - Traders peg antimony higher as supply rumoured to be tighter
2011-05-16 - (
ts) - U.S. Antimony reports Q1 2011 results and Mexican mill progress
2011-05-16 - (mb) - China antimony prices show signs of stabilising
2011-05-02 - (ts) - U.S. Antimony reports Corral Blanco mill progress
2011-04-18 - (wst) - Founder and CEO interview: United States Antimony Corporation (UAMY) - John C. Lawrence
2011-04-04 - (ts) - U.S. Antimony obtains Mexican Mill site approvals
2011-03-28 - (ts) - U.S. Antimony reports 121% revenue growth and net profits for 2010
2010-11-22 - (im) - Antimony trioxide prices rocket as supply is squeezed
2010-11-20 - (tfr) - Investor Alert: China to control rare and essential minerals - An inside look at antimony and Silverado Gold Mines (SLGLF)_
2010-11-01 - (mw) - U.S. Antimony reports delay of Mexican antimony mill
2010-11-01 - (fc) - How a handful of countries control the Earth's most precious materials
2010-10-18 - (pi) - Tri-Star Resources hires contractor to drill Goynuk antimony mine
2010-10-07 - (mw) - Village to acquire Cons Murch antimony/gold mine for R30m
2010-10-05 - (mw) - Planet's Raptor Ventures activities at Sorpresa Antimony Mine reported on by American Metal Market
2010-09-30 - (st) - IQR acquires antimony-based substrate maker Galaxy
2009-01-07 - (cnn) - Silverado announces updated 2009 mineral resource estimates for Workman's and Pringle Bench gold and antimony deposits at Nolan Creek, Northern Alaska

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