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China's antimony ore imports to face pressure in Q4, states Antaike

China's imports of antimony ore are likely to be affected in the fourth quarter in the middle of supply restraints, according to statebacked research home Antaike.

Imports increased 37.6% for January-July this year due to an boost in production in Thailand, which represented 31% of the total imports for the period.

Thailand is not a significant antimony ore manufacturer and is most likely a transit point, so imports from the nation will not be sustainable, Antaike experts said in a note on Wednesday.

China in 2015 accounted for 48% of the international mined output of antimony, a strategic metal utilized in military applications such as ammunition, infrared rockets, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles, in addition to in batteries and photovoltaic devices.

Tight antimony concentrate supplies have actually curbed refining production and rose prices both in China and abroad to record highs this year. << SB0-MM-SHMET > Rising abroad

buying interest stemming from fears of minimized products following China's export limits on antimony and related aspects from Sept. 15 has actually resulted in abroad rates outpacing domestic ones. The imports of antimony concentrate have been typically on the decline in the previous 5 years regardless of a small pick-up in 2023 and 2024, Antaike said. Imports of the concentrate have fallen since of output decreases in

significant suppliers such as Tajikistan, Russia and Australia after 2019, and mounting demand from nations in Southeast Asia and Central Asia, the research company said. In addition, sanctions on Russia in the worldwide settlement system due to its invasion of Ukraine have prevented trading in the concentrate. China's imports of antimony concentrates from Russia -one of its top suppliers -plunged 96% to 278 metric loads for the initially seven months of this year, customizeds information revealed. These kind of structural changes in imports have actually highlighted the unpredictabilities that China is facing in regards to antimony ore trading, which will need more diversified import channels so regarding improve the strength in the supply chain, Antaike stated.

(source: Reuters)