Modern Mining December 2024

COMMODITY OUTLOOK

Stibnite mineralisation from underground.

Antimony: With global supply restricted by China, what options remain?

With the global push towards a zero-carbon future gaining momentum, the importance of critical minerals has risen significantly. Antimony has emerged as a key player on this stage, and as the world accelerates its efforts to shift to sustainable energy sources, antimony has proven indispensable in various technologies that are pivotal for the green transition. From advanced energy storage systems to flame retardants in renewable energy infrastructure, antimony is essential in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and is proving vital in the quest for a more sustainable planet.

Industrial applications Antimony is a metalloid, meaning it exhibits properties of both a metal and non-metal. Primarily extracted from the mineral stibnite, antimony has a relatively low abundance in the Earth’s crust; however, this low supply is offset by increasing demand due to its diverse applications spanning a range of sectors. Antimony salts are used in medicine, paints and pigments, fireworks, glassmaking, and in the rubber and textile industries. However, its main applications are within the energy sector, such as lithium-ion and liquid metal batteries. Antimony demonstrates a high charging capacity, high discharge voltage, and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, making the mineral a positive anode material for high performance batteries. The speed at which liquid metal batteries recharge is faster than conventional solid-material battery systems, facilitating the potential for these to

8  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | DECEMBER 2024