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China's August antimony exports jump on supply concerns

China's deliveries of antimony items in August jumped from July as supply concerns sustained by Beijing's newest export limits on the vital mineral, utilized from fire retardants to weapons, moved a. flurry of rush stockpiling abroad.

China last month revealed its plan to enforce export limits. on antimony and related elements from Sept 15, its most current move. to restrict deliveries of critical minerals in which it is the. dominant provider.

China represented 48% of international mined output of antimony,. utilized in military applications such as ammo, infrared. rockets, nuclear weapons and night vision safety glasses, in addition to. batteries and photovoltaic equipment.

Beijing exported 4,075 metric tons of antimony associated. items, up by 12% from July when it posted a 2nd straight. regular monthly fall of 4%, customs data revealed on Friday.

The United States is the top purchaser, accounting for 29% of. the regular monthly total, followed by Vietnam and Japan by 14% and 10%,. respectively, the information showed.

The number of queries, especially for ingot, from. Europe and the U.S. swelled after the statement (of the. export limitation), all needing shipment of cargoes before Sept. 15, stated a Chinese antimony exporter, asking for anonymity as. he is not authorised to speak with media.

The wave of buying more rose antimony rates that. had currently hit record highs on the back of growing demand and. tight supply.

Rate of antimony ingot jumped by almost 20% from Aug. 15 to. $ 25,250 a metric load on Sept 18, information from information service provider. Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) showed.

The August shipment, nevertheless, was 31% lower from a year. previously.

From Sept 15, exporters will need to secure a license for. dual-use items and technologies - those with potential military. as well as civil applications, which usually takes 2 to. 3 months to get the needed license.

Shipments in September are expected to fall from August,. experts at the state-backed research study home Antaike stated in a. note last week.

In the very first eight months of this year, exports amounted to. 29,379 heaps, a fall of 11% from a year before, customs data. showed.

(source: Reuters)