China Stems Export of Antimony and Related Metal

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about a recent action by China which has the potential to impact the ammunition market. We are going to discuss the recent move by the country while delving into various details, considerations, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about how China is going to stem the export of antimony and related metals.

What is Antimony?

Antimony is a metal compound which is often utilized to increase the hardness of metals and alloys. This is typically done by adding an amount of the compound to an existing alloy such as lead, copper, or tin. The compound is often utilized in the production of automotive parts such as clutch and brake parts to promote longer service lives. Additionally, things such as machine bearings often utilize antimony to increase their hardness and durability. Antimony is also often utilized in ammunition to harden projectiles.

What Happened?

On August 15, 2024, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs unveiled upcoming export controls on a variety of metals. From September 15, 2024 forward, China will more tightly control exports of antimony-related metals, citing the importance of the material for domestic purposes. Under this new protocol, the export of antimony ore, concentrate, metal, oxide, chemicals, and smelting and separation technologies are controlled more tightly. The nation stated that the material is important for military and commercial items as well as the need “to safeguard national security and interests.”

What Does This Mean?

While antimony exportation from China may be stemmed to some extent, this is not going to eliminate supply of the material in any capacity. This is by no means an export ban. Realistically, the amount of antimony and antimony-related items from China to countries like the United States will decrease. Starting on September 15, 2024, antimony exporters will need to acquire export licenses from the Chinese government. These export licenses will require that the exporter details the importer and stated purpose of the compound.

Antimony’s Use in Ammunition

The material is an important material in ammunition production. The most common ammunition one will find antimony labeling attached to will be shotgun shells. Antimony is also utilized in pistol and rifle ammo offerings to harden lead projectiles. While this compound is often used for different types of loadings, antimony is most closely associated with shotgun ammo. Loadings of this type will generally feature distinct branding and labelling on their packaging to denote the inclusion of the compound. These loadings are found optimized for use cases such as hunting and clay shooting and are available from a variety of manufacturers. Shotgun ammunition of this type is found in popular shotgun gauges and chamberings like 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore.

Chinese Antimony Production

The Department of Defense acknowledged in 2016 that “China is the largest producer of antimony [tri] sulfide and controls its availability on the world market.” Currently, China constitutes roughly 50% of global antimony mining. Additionally, China also represents nearly 80% of the world’s antimony processing. As such, China is a net exporter of the compound and its derivatives, with many companies such as the United States, Belgium, and India.

United States Dependence on Imported Antimony

As mentioned above, the United States is a net importer of antimony. This means that the United States depends on antimony exports from countries such as China and Belgium. As stated above, China is one of the largest exporters of antimony in the world, meaning that most antimony coming into the United States comes from China. Notably, over 76% of antimony derivatives such as antimony oxide and antimony trioxide are imported from China.

The United States utilizes imported antimony resources for a variety of manufactured items. Items with flame retardant properties utilize the material in the form of antimony trioxide. Additionally, power sources such as solar photovoltaic cells utilize antimony trisulfide, an antimony derivative. Of course, the material is also utilized in the production of munitions for commercial and military use.

In terms of domestic production or alternative sources, the DOD also noted that “there are no known mines producing acceptable grade ore under United States or NATO partner control.” This has spurred efforts to increase domestic production, such as DOD funding the Stibnite Gold Project to research the ability to convert their ore into antimony-related materials.

Will this Impact the Ammunition Market?

As exports of materials become scarcer, prices for that material generally increase. As there is an interim period before the protocol takes effect, many importers may stock up on the material prior to avoid the new process. This will also impact the supply and price of the compound. While the material is not disappearing by any means, there will inevitably be some disruptions to supply chains which can impact the production of ammunition. Additionally, prices of ammunition utilizing antimony may increase as materials and components see price increases and become scarcer.

Conclusion

All in all, this recent move by the Chinese government has the potential to impact the global minerals and metals trade in addition to global ammunition production. While this decision is likely going to impact supply chains and pricing, it does not signal the end of antimony exports. While this is certainly not going to create a widespread shortage or spur panic buying, one should keep this recent development in mind going into the future when considering ammo prices and availability. Like importers of antimony materials, shooters may find it prudent to stock up on ammo now before the market sees any changes. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of ammunition for handguns, rifles, shotguns, and rimfire firearms. Whether you are after bulk ammo or individual quantities, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.