China to limit antimony exports in latest critical mineral curbs

China will impose export limits on antimony and related elements in the name of national security, its Commerce Ministry said on Thursday, in Beijing’s latest move to restrict shipments of critical minerals in which it is the dominant supplier.

China accounted last year for 48% of global mined output of antimony, a strategic metal used in military applications such as ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment.

The restrictions are being imposed “in order to safeguard national security and interests, and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation,” the ministry said in a statement.

At a regular weekly briefing on Thursday, the ministry said the curbs were not directed at any specific country or region.

“It’s a sign of the times,” said Christopher Ecclestone, a principal and mining strategist at Hallgarten & Company in London.

“The military uses of Sb (antimony) are now the tail that wags the dog. Everyone needs it for armaments so it is better to hang onto it than sell it,” he said. “This will put a real squeeze on the US and European militaries.”

The limits, effective from September 15, apply to six kinds of antimony-related products, including antimony ore, antimony metals and antimony oxide, the ministry said in the statement.

The rules also ban the export of gold-antimony smelting and separation technology without permission.

Dual use

Exporters of affected products must apply for export licenses for dual-use items and technologies — those with potential military as well as civil applications — it said.

The US and other countries are scrambling to ease their reliance on China for key materials, setting out