Logo 16 Aug 2024

Beijing rolls out antimony export controls

China is tightening the screws on critical mineral exports. 

On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) issued export controls on antimony-based materials and related refinery technologies. 

  • The controls, which require companies to get MofCom approval before exporting the above items, will go into effect on September 15.

ICYDK: Antimony is essential to a wide range of industries, including automotives, semiconductors, and military equipment. 

  • China is the world’s biggest producer of antimony, with about 48% of global mine production (Caixin). 

Beijing’s motivation for the controls is unclear.

  • These actions might be aimed at preparing for potential retaliation against future Western sanctions and tariffs, or preserving domestic reserves, or both.

Get smart: Last year, MofCom placed export controls on graphite, germanium, and gallium – which are also critical to various industrial sectors. 

  • There's little chance antimony will be the final critical mineral to get the export-control treatment.

Get smarter: The effectiveness of critical mineral export controls as a targeted retaliation tool is uncertain.

  • Similar to Washington's challenges in preventing chip smuggling, Beijing will find it hard to stop third countries from acting as intermediaries for a targeted country, unless it completely shuts down critical minerals exports for everyone.

Curious about which mineral Beijing might target next? Check out our analysis of potential candidates – and get in touch if you would like to work with us on any specific projections.

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China is tightening the screws on critical mineral exports. 
On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) issued export controls on antimony-based materials and related refinery technologies. 

The controls, which require companies to get MofCom approval before exporting the above items,...