ANTIMONY (Data in metric tons of antimony content, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: Primary antimony metal and oxide were produced by six companies operating six processing plants utilizing both foreign and domestic feed material. Two plants were in Texas, and one each was in Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, and New Jersey. A very small amount of antimony was recovered as a byproduct from the smelting of lead and silver-copper ores. Virtually all antimony metal and oxide produced domestically were derived from imports. The estimated value of primary antimony metal and oxide produced in 1995 was $160 million. The estimated distribution of antimony uses was flame retardants, 58%; transportation, including batteries, 21%; chemicals, 8%; ceramics and glass, 7%; and other, 6%. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production: Mine W W W W W Smelter: Primary 16,400 20,100 22,600 25,500 23,000 Secondary 19,300 19,900 20,700 24,300 20,000 Imports for consumption 28,800 31,200 30,900 41,500 32,000 Exports of metal, alloys, oxide, and waste and scrap 4,440 5,770 4,220 7,850 2,600 Consumption, apparent1/ 42,000 44,600 45,700 59,200 50,200 Price, average, cents per pound2/ 82 79 77 178 240 Stocks, yearend 10,200 8,740 9,080 10,900 11,000 Employment, plante/ 115 115 100 100 100 Net import reliance3/ as a percent of apparent consumption 53 60 62 57 60 Recycling: Almost 20,000 tons or 99% of secondary antimony was recovered as antimonial lead, most of which was consumed by the battery industry. Import Sources (1991-94): Metal: China, 86%; Hong Kong, 4%; Mexico, 3%; Thailand, 1%; and other, 6%. Ore and concentrate: China, 34%; Bolivia, 28%; Canada, 9%; Kyrgyzstan, 8%; and other, 21%. Oxide: China, 36%; Mexico, 20%; Bolivia, 17%; South Africa, 14%; and other, 13%. Total: China, 59%; Mexico, 11%; South Africa, 6%; Hong Kong, 3%; and other, 21%. Tariff:Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN4/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Ore and concentrates 2617.10.0000 Free Free. Antimony and articles thereof, including waste and scrap 8110.00.0000 Free 4.4›/kg. Antimony oxide 2825.80.0000 Free 4.4›/kg. Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: Stockpile Status--9-30-95 Material Uncommitted Committed Authorized Disposals inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 95 Antimony 27,600 1,060 27,500 865 Prepared by James F. Carlin, Jr, (703) 648-4985. ANTIMONY Events, Trends, and Issues: In 1995, antimony production from domestic source materials was derived mainly from the recycling of lead-acid batteries. Recycling plus U.S. mine output supplied less than one-half of the estimated domestic demand. The antimony metal price was characterized by a modest downward drift, compared with the sharp price rises of 1994. The antimony metal price started the year at $2.80 per pound and by midyear had declined to $2.20 per pound, still high by historical standards. The supply disruptions in China that had characterized most of the prior year seemed to have abated somewhat in 1995, although definitive reports from China were difficult to obtain. There were also scattered reports of earlier supply problems in Kyrgyzstan easing somewhat. Also a factor in sustained high prices during the past 2 years was continued strong demand for antimony trioxide in flame-retardant materials, especially plastics. Government stockpile sales of antimony continued for the third year, after being restarted in 1993 for the first time since 1988. Public Laws 99-661 and 102-484 provided the authorization for the sales. In 1995, solicitations for sales were held on the third Thursday of each month. Antimony was stockpiled in Government warehouses in 13 locations, with the Somerville, NJ, depot holding the largest amount. Environmental and ecological problems associated with the treatment of antimony raw materials were minimal, since all domestic processors of raw materials now avoid sulfide-containing materials. World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Mine production Reserves5/ Reserve base5/ 1994 1995e/ United States W W 80,000 90,000 Bolivia 5,700 6,000 310,000 320,000 China 80,000 80,000 NA NA Kyrgyzstan 2,500 3,000 NA NA Mexico 1,500 2,000 180,000 230,000 Russia 7,000 7,000 NA NA South Africa 5,600 6,000 240,000 250,000 Other countries 4,000 4,000 3,400,000 3,800,000 World total (may be rounded) 6/ 106,000 6/ 108,000 4,200,000 4,700,000 World Resources: U.S. resources are mainly in Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, and Montana. Principal identified world resources, estimated at 5.1 million tons, are in China, Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, South Africa, and Mexico. Additional antimony resources may occur in "Mississippi Valley Type" lead deposits in the Eastern United States. Substitutes: Compounds of titanium, zinc, chromium, tin, and zirconium substitute for antimony chemicals in paint, pigments, frits, and enamels. Combinations of calcium, strontium, tin, copper, selenium, sulfur, and cadmium can be used as substitutes for hardening lead. Selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminum oxide are widely accepted alternative materials in flame-retardant systems. e/Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1/Domestic mine production + secondary production from old scrap + net import reliance (see footnote 3). 2/New York dealer price for 99.5% to 99.6% metal, c.i.f. U.S. ports. 3/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4/See Appendix B. 5/See Appendix C for definitions. Numbers for "other countries" include those for China, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia although specific numbers for those counties are not currently available. 6/Excludes U.S. production. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996