Report: The Economics of Antimony TOC

1. Summary

2. Introduction

2.1 Occurrence of antimony
2.2 Reserves of antimony

3. Mining and processing of antimony

3.1 Mining and beneficiation
3.2 Smelting and chemical processing
- 3.2.1 New developments
3.3 Specifications
- 3.3.1 Antimony ores and concentrates
- 3.3.2 Antimony metal
- 3.3.3 Antimony compounds
  - 3.3.3.1 Antimony trioxide
  - 3.3.3.2 Sodium antimonate

4. World production of antimony

4.1 Mine production
4.2 Sodium antimonate
4.3 Antimony Metal
4.4 Antimony trioxide
4.5 Secondary production

5. Asia and the Middle East

5.1 China
- 5.1.1 Mine production
  - 5.1.1.1 Government policy
  - 5.1.1.2 Reserves and output
  - 5.1.1.3 Illegal mining and smuggling
- 5.1.2 Refined production
- 5.1.3 Producers of refined antimony
- 5.1.4 Secondary production
- 5.1.5 Exports of antimony
5.2 India
5.3 Indonesia
5.4 Iran
5.5 Israel
5.6 Japan
- 5.6.1 Supply of raw materials
- 5.6.2 Refined production
- 5.6.3 Producers of refined antimony
  - 5.6.3.1 Dowa Mining Co. Ltd.
  - 5.6.3.2 Hosokura Kogyo
  - 5.6.3.3 Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd.
  - 5.6.3.4 Nihon Seiko Co.
  - 5.6.3.5 Nippon Mining & Metals
  - 5.6.3.6 Suzuhiro Chemical Co.
  - 5.6.3.7 Yamanaka & Co., Ltd
5.7 Malaysia
- 5.7.1 Secondary production
5.8 Myanmar
- 5.8.1 Mine production
5.9 Pakistan
5.10 Philippines
5.11 Saudi Arabia
5.12 Sri Lanka
5.13 Taiwan
5.14 Thailand
- 5.14.1 Mine production
- 5.14.2 Refined production
- 5.14.3 Secondary production
5.15 Turkey
- 5.15.1 Mine production
5.16 Vietnam

6. Eastern Europe

6.1 Bulgaria
6.2 Czech Republic
- 6.2.1 Mine production
- 6.2.2 Secondary production
6.3 Kazakhstan
- 6.3.1 Primary production
- 6.3.2 Secondary production
6.4 Kyrgyzstan
- 6.4.1 Mine production
- 6.4.2 Refined production
- 6.4.3 Producers of antimony
  - 6.4.3.1 Kadamzhai antimony combine
6.5 Poland
6.6 Romania
6.7 Russia
- 6.7.1 Mine production
  - 6.7.1.1 Indigirskaya Prospecting Cooperative
  - 6.7.1.2 JSC Sarylakh-surma
  - 6.7.1.3 Rusant Limited
- 6.7.2 Refined production
  - 6.7.2.1 JSC Podolsk
  - 6.7.2.2 Ryaztsvetmet Corp.
  - 6.7.2.3 Sakha-Uralsky antimony plant
  - 6.7.2.4 JSC Sarylakh-surma
- 6.7.3 Secondary production
6.8 Serbia
6.9 Slovakia
6.10 Tajikistan
- 6.10.1 Mine production
- 6.10.2 Refined production
6.11 Ukraine

7. Africa

7.1 Morocco
- 7.1.1 Mine production
- 7.1.2 Refined production
- 7.1.3 Secondary production
7.2 Namibia
7.3 Nigeria
7.4 South Africa
- 7.4.1 Mine production
- 7.4.2 Refined production
7.5 Zimbabwe
- 7.5.1 Mine production
- 7.5.2 Secondary production

8. South America

8.1 Argentina
8.2 Bolivia
- 8.2.1 Mine production
  - 8.2.1.1 Cia Minera Salinas
  - 8.2.1.2 Empresa Minera Unificada SA
  - 8.2.1.3 Compañia Minera Chillaya
  - 8.2.1.4 Empresa Minera Bernal
  - 8.2.1.5 Comité Boliviano de Productores de Antimonio
  - 8.2.1.6 New Projects
- 8.2.2 Refined production
  - 8.2.2.1 Smelters: Comibol, Empresa El Molino, COMISAL, EMUSA
8.3 Brazil
8.4 Colombia
8.5 Guatemala
- 8.5.1 Primary production
8.6 Peru
- 8.6.1 Primary production

9. North America

9.1 Canada
- 9.1.1 Mine production
  - 9.1.1.1 APOCAN Inc.
  - 9.1.1.2 VVC Exploration Corp.
  - 9.1.1.3 Other Resources
- 9.1.2 Refined Production
  - 9.1.2.1 Xstrata Plc
  - 9.1.2.2 TeckCominco Ltd.
- 9.1.3 Secondary production
9.2 Mexico
- 9.2.1 Mine production
- 9.2.2 Refined production
  - 9.2.2.1 Antimonio de México S. A. de C. V.
  - 9.2.2.2 Chemtura Corporation
  - 9.2.2.3 Grupo Mexico
  - 9.2.2.4 Met-Mex Peñoles S.A. de CV
- 9.2.3 Secondary production
9.3 USA
- 9.3.1 Mine production
- 9.3.2 Imports of raw materials
- 9.3.3 Refined production
- 9.3.4 Producers of refined antimony
  - 9.3.4.1 Amspec Chemical Corp.
  - 9.3.4.2 Chemtura Corporation
  - 9.3.4.3 Laurel Industries
  - 9.3.4.4 Sunshine Mining and Refining Co.
  - 9.3.4.5 US Antimony Corp.
- 9.3.5 Secondary production
- 9.3.6 Stocks and stockpiles

10. Oceania

10.1 Australia
- 10.1.1 Mine production
  - 10.1.1.1 Straits Hillgrove Gold (Straits Resources Limited)
  - 10.1.1.2 Cambrian Mining plc
  - 10.1.1.3 Northwest Resources Limited
- 10.1.2 Secondary production

11. Western Europe

11.1 Austria
11.2 Belgium
- 11.2.1 Refined production
  - 11.2.1.1 Campine S.A.
  - 11.2.1.2 Umicore Precious Metals Refining
- 11.2.2 Secondary production
11.3 France
- 11.3.1 Refined production
- 11.3.2 Producers of refined antimony
  - 11.3.2.1 Metaleurop SA
  - 11.3.2.2 Produits Chimiques de la Lucette (PCL)
  - 11.3.2.3 Société Industrielle et Chimique de l' Aisne (Sica)
- 11.3.3 Secondary production
11.4 Germany
- 11.4.1 Refined production
- 11.4.2 Secondary production
11.5 Italy
- 11.5.1 Refined production
- 11.5.2 Secondary production
11.6 Spain
11.7 Sweden
11.8 Switzerland
11.9 UK
- 11.9.1 Refined production
  - 11.9.1.1 Mining & Chemical Products Ltd.
  - 11.9.1.2 Wafer Technology Ltd.
11.9.2 Secondary production

12. World consumption of antimony

12.1 Primary antimony
- 12.1.1 Antimony Metal
- 12.1.2 Sodium antimonate
- 12.1.3 Antimony trioxide
12.2 Future trends in demand for antimony

13. Non-metallurgical markets for antimony

13.1 Flame retardants
- 13.1.1 Use of antimony trioxide in flame retardants
  - 13.1.1.1 Flame retardant mechanism
  - 13.1.1.2 Markets for antimony trioxide flame retardants
  - 13.1.1.3 Properties of antimony trioxide flame retardants
  - 13.1.1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of antimony trioxide
  - 13.1.1.5 Competition from other flame retardants
  - 13.1.1.6 Flame retardancy standards
- 13.1.2 Demand for flame retardants
- 13.1.3 Consumption of antimony trioxide in flame retardants
- 13.1.4 Future trends in demand for antimony trioxide in flame retardants
  - 13.1.4.1 Forecasts for flame retardant demand
13.2 Plastics catalysts and heat stabilizers
- 13.2.1 PET market
- 13.2.2 PET consumption forecasts
  - 13.2.2.1 Demand for antimony in PET catalysts
- 13.2.3 Polyester catalysts
- 13.2.4 PVC stabilisation
  - 13.2.4.1 PVC market
  - 13.2.4.2 Demand for antimony in PVC stabilisation
13.3 Glass and ceramics
- 13.3.1 Glass
- 13.3.2 Ceramics
  - 13.3.2.1 Opacifiers
  - 13.3.2.2 Glazes
  - 13.3.2.3 Bricks
- 13.3.3 Demand for antimony in glass and ceramics
13.4 Pigments
13.5 Minor non-metallurgical markets
- 13.5.1 Lubricants
- 13.5.2 Ammunition primers
- 13.5.3 Rubber
- 13.5.4 Textiles
- 13.5.5 Pharmaceuticals
- 13.5.6 Pesticides
- 13.5.7 Fluorescent light bulbs
- 13.5.8 Fireworks
- 13.5.9 Zinc electrowinning

14. Metallurgical markets

14.1 Lead-acid batteries
- 14.1.1 Use of antimony in lead-acid batteries
- 14.1.2 Consumption of antimony in lead-acid batteries
- 14.1.3 Future trends in demand for antimony in lead-acid batteries
14.2 Lead alloys
- 14.2.1 Solders
  - 14.2.1.1 Demand for antimony in solders
- 14.2.2 Fusible alloys
- 14.2.3 Bearing metals
  - 14.2.3.1 Demand for antimony in bearing metals
- 14.2.4 Type metal
- 14.2.5 Shot and ammunition
  - 14.2.5.1 Demand for antimony in shot and ammunition
- 14.2.6 Cable sheathing
- 14.2.7 Rolled and extruded lead products
- 14.2.8 Lead weights
14.3 Semiconductors
14.4 Electrical resistance materials
14.5 Copper alloys
14.6 Magnetic steels

15. International trade in antimony

15.1 Antimony ores and concentrates
15.2 Antimony metal
- 15.2.1 Exports
- 15.2.2 Imports
15.3 Antimony trioxide
- 15.3.1 Exports
- 15.3.2 Imports

16. Prices of antimony

16.1 Antimony ores and concentrates
16.2 Refined antimony
- 16.2.1 Prices 2001-2003
- 16.2.2 Prices 2004-2007
16.3 Future trends in prices
- 16.3.1 Resource factors
- 16.3.2 Mining cost factors
- 16.3.3 Future demand and prices

List of Tables

Table 1: World: Reserves of antimony, 2006
Table 2: Consumption of raw materials in the production of antimony metal, 1992-1996
Table 3: Specifications for antimony concentrates produced in the CIS
Table 4: Properties of stibnite
Table 5: Properties of antimony metal
Table 6: ASTM specifications for antimony metal
Table 7: Specifications for antimony metal produced in the CIS
Table 8: Specifications for high-purity antimony metal
Table 9: Formulae and antimony contents of antimony compounds
Table 10: Specifications for antimony trioxide produced in the CIS
Table 11: Specifications for antimony trioxide produced by USAC
Table 12: Specifications for sodium antimonate produced by USAC
Table 13: World: Mine production of antimony, 1998-2006
Table 14: World: Leading producers of antimony ores and concentrates, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2005
Table 15: World: Leading producers of antimony ores and concentrates
Table 16: World: Major producers of sodium antimonate, 2005
Table 17: Selected countries: Production of antimony metal, 1998-2006
Table 18: World: Leading producers of antimony metal, 2006
Table 19: Principal countries: Production of antimony trioxide, 1998-2006
Table 20: Selected companies: Estimated production of antimony trioxide, 2005/2006
Table 21: World: Leading producers of antimony trioxide, 2005
Table 22: World Production of secondary refined lead, 1997-2005
Table 23: USA: Average antimony content of secondary refined lead, 1990-2005
Table 24: China: Mine production of antimony by province, 1995-2005
Table 25: China: Mine production of antimony, 1996-2006
Table 26: China: Leading producers of antimony ores and concentrates
Table 27: China: Mine production of antimony, divided by leading producer, 2004 and 2005
Table 28: China: Analysis of antimony production, trade, surpluses and smuggling 2000-2006
Table 29: China: Production of refined antimony, 1995-2005
Table 30: China: Producers of refined antimony, 2005
Table 31: Xikuangshan Shanxing Antimony: Production capacity for refined antimony, 2006
Table 32: Xikuangshan Shanxing Antimony: Production of refined antimony, 2000-2005
Table 33: Guanglong Antimony Smelting Works: Production of antimony metal, 1997-2001
Table 34: Oriental Antimonial Chemicals Co.: Production capacity for antimony chemicals, 2006
Table 35: China: Exports of antimony, 1995-2006
Table 36: China: Exports of refined antimony, by destination, 2000 and 2005
Table 37: Japan: Imports of antimony, 1995-2006
Table 38: Japan: Production of refined antimony, 1995-2006
Table 39: Japan: Sales of domestically produced antimony metal and antimony trioxide, 2001-2005
Table 40: Japan: Production of antimony trioxide, divided by producer, 2004 and 2005
Table 41: Thailand: Mine production of antimony, 1990-1999
Table 42: Turkey: Mine production of antimony, 1996-2005
Table 43: Kazakhstan: Producers of lead concentrates containing antimony
Table 44: Kyrgyzstan: Mine production of antimony, 1996-2005
Table 45: Kadamzhai antimony combine: Production of refined antimony, 1993-2005
Table 46: Kadamzhai antimony combine: Imports of gold-antimony concentrates from Russia, 1995-2003
Table 47: Kadamzhai antimony combine: Production of antimony metal from Tajik concentrates, 1992-2004
Table 48: Russia: Mine production of antimony, 1992-2003
Table 49: Russia: Production of antimony metal, divided by producer, 1994-1999
Table 50: Anzob GOK: Mine production of antimony, 1998-2005
Table 51: Sontrarem: Mine production of antimony, 1997-2006
Table 52: Tsumeb Corp: Production of sodium antimonate, 1990-1999
Table 53: Metorex Ltd.: Reserves of antimony, end-June 2006
Table 54: Metorex: Mine production of antimony, 1997/98-2005/06
Table 55: Metorex: Production and sales of antimony concentrate, 1990-2006
Table 56: Antimony Products: Production of antimony trioxide, 2001-2006
Table 57: Bolivia: Mine production of antimony, 1980-2005
Table 58: Bolivia: Exports of antimony products, 2005
Table 59: Bolivia: Exports of antimony, 1995-2005
Table 60: Antimony concentrates treated, 1996-2005
Table 61: Production of crude antimony trioxide, 1995-2005
Table 62: Minas de Guatemala: Mine production of antimony, 1990-1999
Table 63: Doe Run Peru: Mine production of antimony, 1990-1999
Table 64: Canada: Mine production of antimony, 1990-1999
Table 65: Canada: Producers of antimonial lead
Table 66: Mexico: Mine production of antimony, 1990-2005
Table 67: Mexico: Exports of antimony, 2001-2005
Table 68: USA: Mine production of antimony, 1995-2006
Table 69: USA: Imports of antimony, 1995-2005
Table 70: USA: Imports of antimony, divided by source, 2005
Table 71: USA: Production of primary antimony, 1990-2006
Table 72: USA: Recovery of secondary antimony, 1980-2005
Table 73: SA: Main producers of antimonial lead, 2005
Table 74: USA: Year-end industry stocks of antimony, 1995-2005
Table 75: Australia: Mine production of antimony, 1994-2006
Table 76: Hillgrove: Resources of gold and antimony, year-end 2006
Table 77: BBU: Mine production of antimony, 1986-1990
Table 78: Campine S.A.: Production of antimony metal and antimony trioxide, 1999-2005
Table 79: Campine S.A.: Sales of antimony trioxide, divided by area, 1999, 2004 and 2005
Table 80: Umicore Precious Metals: End-uses for sodium antimonite
Table 81: France: Imports of antimony, 1994-2005
Table 82: France: Estimated production capacity for refined antimony, divided by producer, 2005
Table 83: France: Production of antimony, 1995-2005
Table 84: Produits Chimiques de la Lucette: Production of antimony trioxide, 1997-2005
Table 85: Sica: Production of antimony metal and antimony trioxide, 1997-2005
Table 86: Germany: Imports of antimony, 1995-2005
Table 87: German producers of antimonial lead, 2005
Table 88: Primary antimony industrial consumption by country, 2005
Table 89: World: Consumption of primary antimony by end-use, 1999 and 2006
Table 90: USA: Industrial consumption of primary antimony, 2001-2005
Table 91: USA: Consumption of primary antimony, divided by end-use, 1999-2005
Table 92: World estimated consumption of primary antimony metal, divided by region, 2005
Table 93: Japan: Domestic shipments of antimony metal, divided by end-use, 1995-2005
Table 94: USA: Consumption of antimony metal, divided by end-use, 1999-2005
Table 95: World: Estimated consumption of sodium antimonate, divided by region, 2005
Table 96: Japan consumption of antimony trioxide, 1998-2005
Table 97: Typical antimony trioxide loadings in selected polymers, 2000
Table 98: Antimony pentoxide flame retardants supplied by Nyacol
Table 99: Markets for antimony trioxide flame retardants
Table 100: Chemical and physical properties of antimony-based flame retardants produced by Amspec Chemical Corp.
Table 101: Chemical and physical properties of antimony tetroxide flame retardants produced by Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd.
Table 102: World: Consumption of flame retardants by region, 2001, 2004
Table 103: World: Estimated consumption of antimony trioxide in flame retardants, divided by area, 2005
Table 104: Japan: Consumption of antimony trioxide in flame retardants, 1998-2006
Table 105: USA: Consumption of primary antimony in flame retardants, 1994-2005
Table 106: World: Polymer demand by type, 1995-2009
Table 107: World flame retardant demand by region, 1994-2014
Table 108: World flame retardant demand by type 1994-2014
Table 109: World: Forecast consumption of antimony trioxide in flame retardants, 2010 and 2015
Table 110: World PET demand by region, 1995-2005
Table 111: World PET consumption by end use, 2004
Table 112: World: Leading producers of PET, 2005
Table 113: World: Forecast consumption of PET by end use, 2009
Table 114: Chemical and physical properties of catalyst-grade antimony trioxide produced by Amspec Chemical Corp.
Table 115: Chemical and physical properties of catalyst-grade antimony compounds produced by Amspec Chemical Corp.
Table 116: USA: Consumption of primary antimony in plastics (non-flame retardant), 1995-2005
Table 117: World: PVC demand by region, 1995-2005
Table 118: World: Consumption of PVC by end use, 2004
Table 119: World: Forecast consumption of PVC by end use, 2009
Table 120: USA: Consumption of primary antimony in glass and ceramics, 1995-2005
Table 121: World: Leading producers of CRT glass
Table 122: US lead-acid recycling rate 1999-2003
Table 123: World: Production of cars and light commercial vehicles by principal country, 1998 to 2004
Table 124: North America: Domestic shipments of SLI batteries, 1995-2005
Table 125: Japan: Shipments of lead-acid batteries, 2001-2006
Table 126: World: Consumption of lead in batteries, 2000 and 2006
Table 127: World: forecast production of automotive lead-acid batteries, 2010
Table 128: Global production forecast for light vehicles 2006-2014
Table 129: World: Personal vehicle ownership, 2000-2010
Table 130: World: Forecast consumption of antimony in batteries, 2010,
Table 131: Japan, UK and USA: Consumption of primary antimony in lead alloys, 1990-2005
Table 132: USA: Consumption of lead in solders, 2000-2005
Table 133: Lead-free solders preferred by industry
Table 134: USA: Consumption of primary antimony in solders, 1996-2005
Table 135: Composition of lead- and tin-based bearing alloys
Table 136: USA: Consumption of primary antimony in bearing metal, 1990-2005
Table 137: Japan and the USA: Consumption of lead in bearing alloy, 1990-2005
Table 138: Germany, Italy and the USA: Consumption of lead in type metal, 1994-2000
Table 139: Selected countries: Consumption of lead in shot and ammunition, 1995-2005
Table 140: World: Consumption of lead in cable sheathing, 1994-2000
Table 141: USA: Consumption of rolled and extruded lead products, divided by end-use, 2000-2005
Table 142: Selected countries: Consumption of lead in rolled and extruded products, 1998-2005
Table 143: Specifications for high-purity antimony metal used in semiconductor applications
Table 144: World: Recorded imports of antimony ores and concentrates, divided by country of origin, 2004
Table 145: World: Recorded imports of antimony ores and concentrates, divided by country of origin, 2005
Table 146: World: Recorded imports of antimony ores and concentrates, divided by country of origin, 2006
Table 147: China: Exports of unwrought antimony metal, divided by area of destination, 2000,2005 and 2006
Table 148: World: Recorded exports of antimony metal, divided by country of destination, 2004
Table 149: World: Recorded exports of antimony metal, divided by country of destination, 2005
Table 150: World: Recorded exports of antimony metal, divided by country of destination, 2006
Table 151: World: Recorded imports of antimony metal, divided by country of origin, 2004
Table 152: World: Recorded imports of antimony metal, divided by country of origin, 2005
Table 153: World: Recorded imports of antimony metal, divided by country of origin, 2006
Table 154: China: Exports of antimony trioxide, divided by area of destination, 2000, 2005 and 2006
Table 155: World: Recorded exports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of destination, 2004
Table 156: World: Recorded exports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of destination, 2005
Table 157: World: Recorded exports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of destination, 2006
Table 158: World: Recorded imports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of destination, 2004
Table 159: World: Recorded imports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of destination, 2005
Table 160: World: Recorded imports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of destination, 2006
Table 161: Average values of US imports of antimony ores and concentrates, divided by country of origin, 2000-2006
Table 162: Prices of antimony ores and concentrates, cif Europe, 2000-2001
Table 163: Free market prices of antimony metal, regulus, 99.65% Sb min. in warehouse, monthly averages, 1994-2006
Table 164: New York dealer prices of antimony metal, 99.65% Sb, 2001-2006
Table 165: Average values of US imports of antimony metal, divided by country of origin, 1999-2005
Table 166: European prices of antimony trioxide, 99.5% Sb2O3, fob Antwerp, 1994-2002
Table 167: US prices of antimony trioxide, high-tint, bags, car lots, freight allowed, East of Rockies, 1994-2004
Table 168: Average values of US imports of antimony trioxide, divided by country of origin, 2000-2005
Table 169: Projected antimony supply capability in 2011 and 2016 at prices of US$5,000/t (based on 2006 dollars)
Table 170: World: Forecast of primary antimony demand 2006-2010

List of Figures

Figure 1: Proposed ore treatment and metal recovery at Straits Hillgrove Gold
Figure 2: World: Mine production of antimony, 1995-2005
Figure 3: World: Mine production of antimony, divided by geographical area, 2000 and 2005
Figure 4: World Production of secondary refined lead, 2005
Figure 5: China: Exports of antimony trioxide and unwrought antimony metal, 1996-2006
Figure 6: Consumption of primary antimony, divided by area 2005
Figure 7: USA: Consumption of primary antimony, divided by market sector, 2005
Figure 8: USA: Consumption of primary antimony, divided by end-use, 1995-2005
Figure 9: World: Estimated consumption of sodium antimonate, divided by area, 2005
Figure 10: World: Estimated consumption of antimony trioxide, divided by area, 2005
Figure 11: Japan: Consumption of antimony trioxide, divided by end-use 2005
Figure 12: World: Market for flame retardants, divided by area, 2004
Figure 13: World: Market for flame retardants in polymers, divided by product, 2005
Figure 14: World: Market for flame retardants divided by industry end-use sector, 2005
Figure 15: World: Lead consumption, by end-use, 1960 and 2006
Figure 16: Average values of US imports of antimony ores and concentrates, 1994-2006
Figure 17: Free market prices of antimony metal, 2000-2006
Figure 18: Free market prices of antimony metal regulus min 99.65%, Hong Kong, 1997-2005
Figure 19: Comparison of antimony metal and antimony trioxide prices, 2000 to 2006
Figure 20: Average values of US imports of antimony trioxide, 1994-2005
Figure 21: Pearse demand curves for antimony

The Economics of Antimony

Table of Contents

1. Summary

2. Introduction

3. Mining and processing of antimony

4. World production of antimony

5. Asia and the Middle East

6. Eastern Europe

7. Africa

8. South America

9. North America

10. Oceania

11. Western Europe

12. World consumption of antimony

13. Non-metallurgical markets for antimony

14. Metallurgical markets

15. International trade in antimony

16. Prices of antimony

List of Tables

List of Figures