Last month, antimony prices soared 40% in a matter of days after China banned exports to the United States of several critical minerals. China enforced the existing limits on antimony, gallium, germanium, critical minerals that have widespread military applications ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office. China is the world’s largest producer of antimony, accounting for 48% of global mined output. The country’s output in 2023 clocked in at 40,000 tonnes, nearly double Tajikistan’s 21,000 tonnes while Turkey was the third largest producer with 6,000 tonnes.
“In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted,” Chinese Commerce Ministry said.
And now reports have emerged that Beijing is getting ready to pull off a similar move in the lithium sector. The Chinese commerce ministry has proposed export curbs on technology essential for…
