The U.S. is running low on antimony metal used to produce bullets and other weapons.

U.S. Think Tank: Antimony Crisis at a Critical Moment - A Key Mineral in Critical Times

The U.S.'s demand for antimony has not disappeared, but it cannot produce the required resources domestically.

Following the recent acquisition of final federal approval, an American company will initiate the process of reopening an antimony mine in Idaho – this new mining plan marks an important step for the U.S. in seeking independence in critical minerals.

Antimony is a key mineral in defense production, with its supply mainly dominated by China. The uses of this mineral stem from its flame-retardant properties and its applications in important tools such as bullets, nuclear weapons, infrared missile technology, lead-acid batteries, and night vision equipment. To support such production, the U.S. consumes over 50 million pounds of antimony annually, with 90% relying on imports. For national security, domestic production must be increased as much as possible.

Before World War II, the U.S. relied on China for antimony supplies. However, Japan's invasion of China restricted the sale of this key mineral, forcing the U.S. to turn to domestic production at the Stibnite Mine in Idaho. After the war, however, the mine could not maintain stable profits and closed in 1997.

Today, there are no feasible antimony mining operations in the U.S. This makes critical defense production dependent on foreign suppliers – a risk that is unacceptable, especially considering that the world's two largest antimony ore reserves belong to the U.S.'s two biggest rivals: Russia and China.

In recent years, the U.S. has imported antimony from multiple countries including Italy, China, India, Belgium, and Mexico. By 2023, China accounted for 63% of the U.S.'s total antimony imports.

From a mathematical perspective, this is reasonable because China is the world's largest producer of antimony (with a 2023 output of 40,000 tons). The second-largest producer is Tajikistan (with an output of 21,000 tons), followed by Turkey (with an output of 6,000 tons).

The negative consequences of this reliance have become very clear. In September 2024, China imposed new controls on antimony exports, requiring the U.S. to obtain a license to purchase antimony. Just months later, China's Ministry of Commerce further implemented restrictions and explicitly banned all antimony products from being sold to the U.S.

To meet the needs of the defense industry, the Trump administration made the restoration of domestic antimony production a priority – ultimately prompting Perpetua Resources, a Boise-based resource development company, to develop plans to reopen the Stibnite Mine in Idaho. Although domestic production in Idaho will help ensure the U.S.'s antimony supply, it is estimated that during the first six years of production, the mine can only meet 35% of the U.S.'s demand, and it will take at least three more years to achieve full production.

Unfortunately, the U.S. has yet to develop other antimony mines. Although antimony deposits are believed to exist in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada, developing these mines would take too long; our demand remains an urgent issue. This means the U.S. must expand its antimony supply chain and procure more antimony from countries other than China.

The most direct and logical source is Tajikistan – a country that already maintains close defense cooperation with the U.S. and happens to be a major exporter of antimony. In 2024, the U.S. purchased unprecedented amounts of antimony from Tajikistan, a trend that aligns with China's recent trade restriction measures.

Now, the U.S. must prioritize developing mutually beneficial relations with Tajikistan to ensure continued access to its antimony market. Tajikistan is not only the world's second-largest antimony producer but also one of America's largest exporters. Therefore, given the current turbulence in U.S.-China trade relations, this represents the most viable and direct solution to bridge the gap in the U.S.'s antimony supply.

The U.S.'s demand for antimony is undeniable, but its sources are controversial. When searching for antimony sources, Washington must remember that the best option is domestic production, followed by procurement from friendly countries. The worst choice is continuing to rely on China. Washington must take corresponding actions.

Source: The National Interest

Author: Anna Gustafson and Camerin Jones

Date: June 12

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834808461727756/

Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author alone.