China on Thursday said that it will implement export restrictions on antimony, a strategic mineral, in a bid to safeguard national interests and security. This move adds to a series of measures taken by Beijing to limit the global availability of critical minerals, where China holds a dominant position in supply.
Starting from 15 September, China will impose export limits on antimony and its related elements, as well as on gold antimony smelting and separation technologies. China is the world’s leading producer of antimony, a metal critical for various industries, including flame retardants, batteries, munitions, and photovoltaic equipment. Last year, China accounted for 48 per cent of the global antimony mine production, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
This latest restriction follows a pattern of export controls imposed by China over the past year. In December 2023, China banned the export of technology used to produce rare earth magnets, expanding on an existing ban on technology related to the extraction and separation of these critical materials. Rare earths, comprising 17 metals, are essential for manufacturing magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electronics.
Earlier, in October 2023, China required export permits for certain graphite products, citing national security concerns. China is the top producer and exporter of graphite globally and refines over 90 per cent of the world's graphite into material used in electric vehicle (EV) battery anodes.
In July 2023, China announced restrictions on the export of eight gallium and six germanium products, effective from 1 August. This decision came amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington over access to materials essential for high-tech microchips. Germanium is also crucial for infrared technology, fibre optic cables, and solar cells.
These export controls reflect China's strategy to manage its resources carefully, particularly in areas where it holds a significant share of the global supply chain. (With Reuters input)
