It is surprising that the BGS places Antimony at the top of it's published (latest) list of the 52 elements, minerals and metals most at risk of supply disruption. Rare earths used in green technology and defence technologies do not top the list but comes in at number five.
Quote from story
The platinum group metals (auto catalysts) hold the second spot while niobium used in touch screens and scanners and tungsten for cutting tools are also at risk of supply disruption as a result of increased competition among the world’s growing economies, political instability, resource nationalism, along with events such as strikes and accidents. China is the number one producer of 50% of the 52 chemicals on the list and produces 75% of the world’s antimony.
In Newfoundland the Beaver Brook Antimony Mine was reactivated in 2008. In October of 2009, Hunan Nonferrous Metals Corporation (HNC), the largest antimony company in the world, acquired 100% equity of Beaver Brook Antimony Mine Inc. At the end of 2009, China Minmetals Corporation, China’s biggest metal trader, acquired 51% equity of Hunan Holdings Group (HNG), the state-owned parent of HNC. Link to Beaver Creek Mine Profile
The reasoning behind the Chinese investment in the mine and the company holding it becomes clearer and looks like a strategic move, when we look at the BGS list.
Looks like Antimony is could be another good mineral to prospect for.
Happy Prospecting!
