Antimony

16 Pages·1991·3.2 MB·English

by  Llewellyn, T. O

ANNUAL Ber ART
ANTIMONY
By Thomas O. Llewellyn
1990
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
cat} BUREAU OF MINES
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D: 84076535
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ACN ON USA LT Ke ee
ANTIMONY
US.
DEPARTMENT
OF THE
INTERIOR
Manuel Lujan, Jr.
Secretary
TS Ary
Director
iprary
Center
Federal
Ber
pen :' O C-521
BidOg.. °? 50 4
October 1991
Contents Tables
Domestic Data Coverage ........ Table 1.—Salient Antimony
Backerouridy st.cs es), cameeen e, STATISTICS), Steud eeatican kcie ee
Definitions, Grades, and Table 2.—Primary Antimony
SDECIIICAUIONS:.. art u semene a Produced or Generated in the
Products for Trade and United: States; .... Seee ee
Industry teehSeee ee)a Table 3.—Secondary Antimony
IndusirvestUChiiC.: eee Produced in the United States,
ReESOUDCES sae 0 ee i oe by Kind of Scrap and Form
Leehnolos yas ase ernment of Recovery 2 perenne c
Byproducts and Coproducts .... Table 4.—Reported Industrial
Substitutesiees = ee ees Lae eee Consumption of Primary
Economic. Factors... 5... 2005 0. Antimony in the United States .
Operating’ Factors: 22.0. 22: ae Table 5.—Reported Industrial
AnnualP Review i. ee eee Consumption of Primary
Legislation and Government Antimony in the United States,
PYOSTATIS <5) cers ce een eae by Product)... Wee
Strategic Considerations ....... Table 6.—Industry Stocks of
PrOguchionty i tee eee ik: ats Primary Antimony in the
Mines Production: e550... United States} Decembem3ie 2. .
pimelter Proguctionw cau. 2... Table 7.—Antimony Price Ranges
Primary ae tae eee a ks in 1990, by- Dvice eee
NECODGALY§ yaa te. eats Table 8.—U.S. Exports of Antimony
Consumption and Uses ........ Metal, Alloys, Waste and Scrap,
Markets and Prices s2...5-4..- . by. Country = ite sere 6
POreigite (rade: Pee ee. ts oe Table 9.—U.S. Exports of Antimony
WOEPISCVICWO nitcol.e a Oxide, by ‘COUunityV ieee ae
CODACILY wien ere eect Table 10.—U.S. Imports for
DOUNIG. DA oop On of nee Pies Ane Consumption of Antimony, by
Japan eee eee eek Class and: County) eee 7
Currents Research ey .a. ona: Table 11.—U.S. Imports for
Ounlook tye aacsanteis Beettse: Consumption of Antimony Metal,
by Country feeee are
Table 12.—World Annual Antimony
Production Capacity, December
31, 1990 17 ee
Table 13.—Antimony: World Mine
Production, by Country ........ 9
COVER PHOTO: For comments or further information,
Bagging operation of fine please contact
antimony oxide. Antimony The Branch of Industrial Minerals
oxide is mainly used in for- The Division of Mineral Commodities
mulations to make textiles, U.S. Bureau of Mines
plastics, and other com- 2401 E St., NW, MS 5209
bustibles flame retardant. Washington, DC 20241-0001
(Photo is courtesy of
Telephone: [phone]
AMSPEC.) Fax: [phone]
ANTIMONY —1990
ANTIMONY
By Thomas O. Llewellyn
Mr. Llewellyn, a physical scientist with the Branch of Industrial Minerals, has been the commodity specialist for antimony
since 1987. Domestic survey data were prepared by Elsie Isaac, mineral data assistant, Section of Nonferrous Metals Data;
and international data were prepared by Virginia Woodson, international data coordinator, Section of International Data.
eported consumption of pri- TABLE 1
mary antimony declined about SALIENT ANTIMONY STATISTICS
5% in 1990 from that of 1989.
Production of primary antimo- (Metric tons of antimony content unless otherwise specified)
ny, however, increased slightly compared
with that of the previous year. Secondary 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
smelter production totaled 20,380 tons,
United States:
up from 19,501 tons produced in 1989.
Production:
Total imports of antimony products in-
creased considerably. The principal sup- Primary:
plying country continued to be China, Mine (recoverable antimony) W — W W W
which accounted for about 61% of all an- Smelter 15,691 117,930 17,616. 18,954. 19,717
timony imported into the United States
Secondary 14,081 15,833 16,172 119,501 20,380
in 1990. Effective June 20, 1990, the Na-
Exports of metal, alloys, waste and scrap 540 795 624 293 588
tional Defense Stockpile (NDS) goal for
antimony was increased from 32,659 Exports of antimony oxide 526 705 L227 1850s eweSlo
metric tons to 80,287 metric tons. Imports for consumption 23,043 24,248 30,027 25,165 29,403
Reported industrial consumption, primary antimony 9:03 5¥v 10373 M12. 067%" 134249012. 739
Stocks: Primary antimony, all classes, Dec. 31 ™5,.487 '6,093 6,498 ‘16,270 8,185
DOMESTIC DATA
Price: Average, cents per pound! 121.9 1106 103.9 94.3 81.8
COVERAGE
World: Mine production 59,677 69,955 70,547 '66,283 °62,004
“Estimated. "Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
'New York dealer price for 99.5% to 99.6% metal, c.i.f. U.S. ports.
Domestic production data for antimo-
ny are developed by the U.S. Bureau of
Mines from two voluntary surveys of U.S.
operations. Typical of these surveys is the used in Biblical times as medicine and as brittle, crystalline solid that exhibits poor
“Primary Antimony” survey. Of the six a cosmetic for eyebrow painting. A vase electrical and heat conductivity proper-
operations to which a survey request was found at Tello, Chaldea, reportedly cast ties. The National Stockpile Purchase
sent, all responded, representing 100% of in tallic antimony indicates that about Specification P-2a-R4, June 10, 1980, cov-
the primary smelter production shown in 4000 B.C., the Chaldeans knew the art of ered two grades of refined antimony me-
table 1 and 100% of the total antimony reducing the sulfide to metal. tal ingot form. Grade A has a minimum
content of primary antimony production The known domestic deposits of an- antimony content of 99.8% and the fol-
by class shown in table 2. timony ore have generally been small and lowing impurity maximums: arsenic
uneconomical when compared with for- 0.05%, sulfur 0.10%, lead 0.15%, and
eign producers, resulting in a dependence other elements ( copper, iron, nickel, sil-
BACKGROUND on foreign sources of supply by the United ver, and tin), 0.05% each. Grade B
States. Bolivia, China, Mexico, and the material is composed of 99.5% antimo-
Republic of South Africa have historically ny as a minimum with maximum impu-
Antimony, from the Greek anti plus been the principal sources of supply. rity levels of 0.1% arsenic, 0.1% sulfur,
monos, means “a metal seldom found 0.2% lead, and 0.1% each of other
alone.” Although the name was intended Definitions, Grades, and elements.
to describe the metal’s mineralogical as- Specifications Chemical-grade ore is that which is
sociation in ores, it also properly describes Antimony is seldom found in nature as sufficiently pure to be used directly in
the use of antimony in modern industry native metal because of its strong affini- producing the trioxide, chloride, or other
because the metal is usually used as an ty for sulfur and the metallic elements industrial chemical compound. For
alloy with other metals. The natural sul- such as copper, lead, and silver. Antimo- chemical-grade sulfide ore, total impuri-
fide of antimony, stibnite, was known and ny in its elemental form is a silvery white, ties, including arsenic and lead, must not
ANRTIMONY—1990 |
exceed 0.25% and no single metallic im- 0.5 parts per million. Antimony is chal- constituent, are designed for producing
purity can exceed 0.1%. cophile, occurring with sulfur and the the principal metals such as lead, silver,
Antimony trioxide, the most important heavy metals copper, lead, and silver. or gold.
of the antimony compounds, is used in More than 100 minerals of antimony are The antimony content of ores deter-
flame-retarding formulations for many found in nature. Stibnite (Sb,S3) is the mines the method of recovery. In gener-
materials. Most commercial grades of an- predominant ore mineral of antimony. al, the lowest grades of sulfide ores, 5%
timony trioxide contain between 99.2% Simple antimony deposits consist prin- to 25% antimony, are roasted; 25% to
and 99.5% antimony trioxide, with vary- cipally of stibnite, or rarely, native an- 40% antimony ores are smelted in a blast
ing amounts of impurities such as arsen- timony in a siliceous gangue, commonly furnace; and 45% to 60% antimony ores
ic, iron, and lead. Commercial suppliers with some pyrite, and in places a little are liquated. At some mines in Bolivia
offer various grades of antimony trioxide gold and small amounts of other metal and the Republic of South Africa, the
based on the relative tinting strength of sulfides, principally silver and mercury. high-grade sulfide ore is concentrated by
their product, which is related to average Antimony ores commonly are associated hand-cobbing and sold as lump sulfide
particle size. In general, the tinting with igneous activity and have common ore, 60% antimony content. As higher
strength increases as the particle size genetic association with such intrusives grade deposits have become depleted, in-
decreases. as granite, diorites, and monzonites. The creasing emphasis has been placed on up-
mineralogy of the veins and their almost grading low-grade ores by flotation. .
Products for Trade and Industry invariably shallow depth suggest a low Roasting of the ore to yield a volatile
temperature of formation at near-surface trioxide or the stable nonvolatile tetrox-
The commercial products are general- positions, possibly related to the config- ide is the only pyrometallurgical proce-
ly semicircular-shaped ingots, broken uration of the water table at the time of dure suitable for low-grade ores (5% to
pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other deposition. Most of these geologically 25% antimony content). The sulfur is ox-
forms are powder, ingot, shot, and single simple stibnite deposits do not individu- idized and removed from waste gases, and
crystals. ally contain more than several thousand the volatilized antimony oxide is reco-
tons of ore. Deposits of this type are vered in flues, condensing pipes, a bag-
Industry Structure found in the world’s most productive an- house, precipitators, or a combination of
timony districts, including those of the above. The temperature and quanti-
Antimony was produced from ores and
Bolivia, China, Mexico, and the Repub- ty of available oxygen determine the kind
as a byproduct of the smelting of base
lic of South Africa. and quantity of the oxide produced. The
metals ores in about 23 countries. China,
Complex antimony deposits consist of oxide produced by this method is gener-
the world’s leading producer, accounted
stibnite associated with pyrite, ar- ally impure and can be reduced to metal.
for about 48% of the total world esti-
senopyrite, cinnabar, or scheelite, or of Careful control of volatilization condi-
mated mine production during 1990.
antimony sulfosalts with varying tions, however, produces a high-grade ox-
China, together with the other four major
amounts of copper, lead, and silver, as ide that can be sold directly to consumers.
producing countries, Bolivia, Mexico, the
well as common sulfides of these metals Water-jacketed blast furnaces are used
Republic of South Africa, and the
and zinc. Ores of the complex deposits in several plants to reduce ores contain-
US.S.R., accounted for about 89% of the
generally are mined primarily for gold, ing 25% to 40% antimony. Oxides, sul-
total world antimony production. In 1990,
lead, silver, tungsten, or zinc. fides, or mixed ores, residues, mattes,
antimony production from domestic
Most of the antimony produced in the slags, and briquet fines or flue dusts can
source materials was largely derived from
United States is from complex deposits. be used as blast furnace charges. A high
recycling of lead-antimony batteries.
The tetrahedrite ores found in the Coeur smelting column and comparatively low
Recycling plus U.S. mine output supplied
d’Alene district of Idaho are outstanding air pressure are used, and the slag and
less than one-half of the estimated domes-
examples of complex deposits.! metal are separated in the hearth.
tic demand. Primary antimony was reco-
Principal identified world antimony Antimony sulfide can be separated
vered as a byproduct from the smelting
resources, at about 5 million tons, are in from the gangue of sulfide ores by melt-
of domestic lead and silver-copper ores.
Bolivia, China, Mexico, the Republic of ing in a reverberatory furnace. A reduc-
Antimony metal and trioxide pro-
South Africa, and the U.S.S.R. USS. ing atmosphere is kept to prevent
ducers in the United States are essential-
resources are mainly in Alaska, Idaho, oxidation. The solidified product is called
ly large, integrated companies with a
Montana, and Nevada. liquated or needle antimony and may be
variety of activities in marketing and
used as sulfide or converted to antimony
manufacturing of base metals and chem-
Technology metal by iron precipitation.
ical compounds. A few producers and
Antimony deposits are seldom ex- Some complex ores can be treated by
processors of antimony have interests in
plored in advance of actual mining be- leaching and electrowinning to recover
foreign operations. Most of them pur-
cause the deposits are generally small, the antimony. A typical process uses an
chase raw materials from mine and
irregular, and difficult to appraise. alkali hydroxide or sulfide as the solvent.
smelter operations either directly or
Many of the typically small mines con- The filtered leach solution containing
through dealers.
tain irregular and scattered ore bodies sodium thioantimonate, Na3SbSy,, is elec-
that cannot be readily exploited by large- trolyzed in a diaphragm cell using an iron
Resources
scale mining methods. Mining methods or lead anode and an iron or mild-steel
Estimates of the abundance of antimo- used in mines that recover metalliferous cathode. The cathode metal obtained is
ny in the Earth’s crust range from 0.2 to ores, of which antimony is a minor 93% to 99% pure antimony.”
2
ANTIMONY—1990
Antimony metal is also produced as an- effect January 1, 1989, antimony ore and National Defense Authorization Act for
timonial lead, which is an important concentrates imports from both most fav- Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (Public Law
product of the secondary lead smelter. A ored nations (MFN) and non-MEN were 101-189, November 29, 1989), the Assis-
blast furnace charge containing used or duty free. Antimony and articles there- tant Secretary of Defense determined
discarded battery plates, type metal, and of, including waste and scrap and anti- that, effective June 20, 1990, the NDS
bearing metal is reduced to a lead bullion. mony oxide, were duty free for MFN. goal for antimony was increased from
The bullion is refined in reverberatory However, for non-MEFN, a statutory duty 32,659 metric tons to 80,287 metric tons,
furnaces and melting pots to meet of 4.4 cents per kilogram was imposed. where it remained at yearend.°
specifications.
Operating Factors Strategic Considerations
Byproducts and Coproducts
Environmental and ecological prob- Antimony was included in the NDS
Most of the domestic primary anti- lems associated with the treatment of an- because of its strategic uses in flame-
mony production is a byproduct or timony metal and ores are minimal retardant compounds, friction bearings,
coproduct of mining, smelting, and refin- because emissions and affluents are con- and batteries. No inventory acquisitions
ing other metals and ores that contain trolled at the processing plant. or sales were made during the year. As
relatively small quantities of antimony. The major conservation practice of the of December 31, 1990, the stockpile in-
In 1990, domestic production of antimo- antimony industry is the recycling of the ventory was 32,658 metric tons of an-
ny was mainly a byproduct of treatment metal in used storage batteries, type timony metal.
of tetrahedrite, a complex silver-copper- metal, and babbitt. Antimony metal and
antimony sulfide ore. An undisclosed antimonial lead from intermediate Production
amount of antimony was also recovered smelter products such as slags, drosses, Mine Production.—Sunshine Mining
as a byproduct of the processing of lead flue dusts, and residues generated at cop-
Co. produced antimony as a byproduct
ores. per and lead smelters are recovered at
of the treatment of tetrahedrite, a
The antimony deposits of the Repub- lead smelters.
complex silver-copper-antimony sulfide
lic of South Africa contain gold. High- Energy requirements for the produc-
ore, from the Coeur d’Alene district of
grade Bolivian antimony ores contain tion of antimony metal and antimony tri-
Idaho.
variable and minor values of gold and oxide from stibnite ores are 163 million
tungsten and objectionable amounts of British thermal units (Btu’s) per net ton Smelter Production.—Primary.—In
arsenic, copper, and lead in some of antimony metal and 186 million Btu’s March 1990, Laurel Industries and
deposits. Chinese ores contain some per net ton of antimony trioxide.? Empresa Metalurgica de Vinto (ENAF),
tungsten. An estimated 200 persons are em- the state-owned smelting and refining
ployed in the domestic production of an- company of Bolivia, entered into an
Substitutes timony ores and in conversion of agreement to produce crude antimony
antimony ores and raw materials to an- oxide at the Vinto smelter. Under the
Compounds of chromium, tin, titani- timony metal and compounds. terms of the agreement, Laurel will pro-
um, zinc, and zirconium substitute for an- vide technical assistance to the antimo-
timony chemicals in paint, pigments, frits, ny smelter to produce sulfur-free crude
and enamels. A combination of cadmium, ANNUAL REVIEW antimony trioxide. In return, the entire
calcium, copper, selenium, strontium, sul- ENAF crude antimony trioxide produc-
fur, and tin can be used as substitutes for tion will be shipped to Laurel’s refining
hardening lead. Selected organic com- Legislation and Government plant in La Porte, TX. The first shipment
pounds and hydrated aluminum oxide are Programs of sulfur-free crude antimony trioxide
widely accepted alternative materials in from Bolivia was received at Laurel’s
The Environmental Protection Agen-
flame-retardant systems. refining plant in December.
cy (EPA) denied a petition submitted by
The producers of primary antimony
Synthetics Products Co. (SPC) requesting
Economic Factors metal and oxide products were ASARCO
removal of antimony tris (iso-octyl mer-
Incorporated, Omaha, NE; Amspec
Antimony and antimony trioxide are captoacetate), ATOM, from the list of
Chemical Corp., Gloucester City, NJ;
taxed under the new Superfund Amend- toxic chemicals under section 313 of the
Anzon America, Laredo, TX; Laurel In-
ments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Emergency Planning and Community
dustries Inc., La Porte, TX; Sunshine
Public Law 99-499. The taxes, to be col- Right-to-Know Act of 1986. The petition
Mining Co., Kellogg, ID; and U.S. An-
lected from producers and importers, was based on SPC’s contention that
timony Corp., Thompson Falls, MT.
were $4.90 per ton of antimony metal ATOM does not meet the criteria for
and $4.13 per ton of antimony trioxide. human health effects under the section Secondary.—Old scrap, predominant-
The taxes end on December 31, 1991. 313 listing. EPA’s decision to deny the ly lead battery plates, was the source of
Antimony producers are granted a petition was based on human health con- most of the secondary antimony output.
depletion allowance of 22% on domestic cerns for antimony and antimony com- New scrap, mostly in the form of dross-
production and 14% on foreign pounds. ATOM degrades in the es and residues from various sources, sup-
production. environment yielding antimony and an- plied the remainder. The antimony
Under the new Harmonized Tariff timony oxide.4 content of scrap was usually recovered
Schedule of the United States, which took According to section 3301 of the and consumed as antimonial lead.
ANTIMONY —1990
TABLE 2 Consumption and Uses
PRIMARY ANTIMONY PRODUCED OR GENERATED IN THE
Decreased reported domestic consump-
UNITED STATES tion of primary antimony, compared with
that of 1989, reflected the continued
(Metric tons of antimony content)
national economic slowdown. Lead-
antimony alloys were used in starting-
Class of material produced or generated lighting-ignition (SLI) batteries, ammuni-
Year Metal Oxide Residues Total tion, corrosion resistant pumps and pipes,
1986 343 "15,280 68 15,691 tank linings, roofing sheets, solder, cable
sheaths, and antifriction bearings. In
1987 W 17,892 38 17,930
1990, the Battery Council International
1988 W 17,150 466 17,616
reported a 1.2% increase in the total ship-
1989 WwW 18,720 234 18,954
ments of replacement automotive SLI
1990 WwW 19,085 632 195717 batteries in the United States compared
with those of 1989. Antimony com-
"Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in “Total.”
pounds were used in plastics, both as
stabilizers and as flame retardant. An-
timony trioxide in an organic solvent was
used to make textiles, plastics, and other
combustibles flame retardant. Antimony
was used as a decolorizing and refining
TABLE 3
agent in some forms of glass, such as
SECONDARY ANTIMONY PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES, BY
special optical glass. The estimated distri-
KIND OF SCRAP AND FORM OF RECOVERY bution of antimony uses were flame
retardants, 70%; transportation, includ-
(Metric tons of antimony content unless otherwise specified)
ing batteries, 10%; chemicals, 10%; cer-
amics and glass, 4%; and other, 6%.
198% 1990
KIND OF SCRAP Markets and Prices
New scrap: Lead- and tin-base 1,254 1,178 The New York dealer price range for
Old scrap: Lead- and tin-base 18,247 19,202 antimony metal, published by Metals
Total 19,501 20,380 Week, started 1990 at $0.81 to $0.84 per
FORM OF RECOVERY Fin pound. The price range showed minor
fluctuations throughout the first 10
In antimonial lead 18,914 19,786
months, decreased to a range of $0.78 to
In other lead- and tin-base alloys 587 594
$0.80 per pound by November 29, where
Total 19,501 20,380 it held steady until the end of December.
Value (millions) $41 $42 The price range for high-tint antimo-
"Revised. ny trioxide was $1.45 per pound at the
beginning of the year, decreased to a
range of $1.10 to $1.20 per pound by
March 1, and remained constant for the
rest of 1990.
The European price range quotation
for clean antimony sulfide concentrate
TABLE 4
(60% antimony content), published by
REPORTED INDUSTRIAL CONSUMPTION OF PRIMARY ANTIMONY IN
Metal Bulletin (London), which was
THE UNITED STATES $15.50 to $18.00 per metric ton unit at
the beginning of 1990, decreased to a
(Metric tons of antimony content)
range of $15.00 to $17.00 per metric ton
unit at the end of the first quarter and
Class of material consumed remained constant for the rest of the year.
Year Metal Oxide Sulfide Residues Total The European price range quotation for
1986 PRN 7,629 21 68 9,935 lump antimony sulfide ore (60% antimo-
ny content), which was listed at $16.50
1987 2,248 "8,048 39 38 "10,373
to $18.00 per metric ton unit at the be-
1988 2:123 9,438 42 466 12,067
ginning of 1990, also decreased during
1989 2,523 10,640 27 234 13,424
the first quarter and closed the year at a
1990 2,130 9,952 25 632 12,739 range of $15.50 to $17.50 per metric ton
‘Revised. unit.
4
ANTIMONY—1990
TABLE 5 TABLE 7
REPORTED INDUSTRIAL CONSUMPTION OF PRIMARY ANTIMONY IN ANTIMONY PRICE RANGES
THE UNITED STATES, BY PRODUCT IN 1990, BY TYPE
(Metric tons of antimony content)
Type Price per
pound
Product 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Domestic metal! $1.25-$1.40
Metal products:
Foreign metal? 18-88
Ammunition W W W 521 602
Antimony trioxide? 1.10- 1.20
Antimonial lead "549 1,102 1,538 "1,871 1,995
Bearing metal and bearings 139 187 178 129 90 lBased on antimony in alloy.
2Duty-paid delivery, New York.
Cable covering 62 W W W W 3Producer price, published by ASARCO Incorporated, for high-tint
Castings 1] 8 13 8 8 antimony trioxide.
Collapsible tubes and foil W W _ — —
Sheet and pipe 36 76 181 157 ‘Zz
Solder ‘250 347 256 245 208 Foreign Trade
Type metal 8 8 6 4 3
Exports of antimony oxide increased
Other 379 584 609 80 104 dramatically in 1990 and reached their
Total highest level in 23 years.
Nonmetal products: Total imports of antimony products in-
Ammunition primers 21 32 34 20 23 creased significantly compared with those
of 1989. China, Mexico, and the Repub-
Ceramics and glass 932 1,122 1224 1,050 99]
lic of South Africa, in descending order
Fireworks 4 9) 4 5 3
of shipments, accounted for approximate-
Pigments 226 279 179 196 246
ly 82% of the total U.S. antimony
Plastics 885 750 916 1,141 1,148 imports in 1990.
Rubber products 37 W 29 97 27
Other 147 s1o9 147 159 151 World Review
Total Capacity.—The data in table 12
Flame-retardants: represent rated annual production capac-
Adhesives 154 315 251 Zao 189 ity for mines and refineries on December
Paper 1 W W W W 31, 1990. Rated capacity was defined as
Pigments 13 30 104 926 502 the maximum quantity of product that
can be produced in a period of time on
Plastics 4,517 4,139 5,469 5,842 5,668
a normally sustainable, long-term oper-
Rubber 398 "387 282 174 181
ating rate, based on the physical equip-
Textiles 1,163 800 643 558 460 ment of the plant and routine operating
Other — 6 7 pe: 17 procedures for labor, energy, materials,
Total 6,246 677 6,756 "7,741 7,017 and maintenance. Capacity includes both
Grand total 9.939 "10,373 12,067 13,424 PES operating plants and plants temporarily
closed that, in the judgment of the
‘Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with “Other.”
author, can be brought into production
within a short period of time with mini-
mum capital expenditure. Mines and
TABLE 6
refineries rated capacity of antimony was
INDUSTRY STOCKS OF PRIMARY ANTIMONY IN THE UNITED STATES,
estimated based on discussions with some
DECEMBER 31
officials from private industry, past and
present production rate, and published
(Metric tons of antimony content)
capacity data.
Stocks 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 Bolivia.—In May 1990, Bolivian offi-
Metal 868 822 2,360 1,873 2,936 cials withdrew their participation in the
joint Bolivian-Chinese quarterly producer
Ore and concentrate 934 1,148 W W W
price for antimony concentrates, pub-
Oxide oate 4.018 3,840 ‘4,079 4,388
lished by Metal Bulletin of London.
Residues 96 83 274 302 844 Reportedly, the published producer price
Sulfide iy eee 24 16 17 failed to achieve its objective of coor-
Total "5,487 "6,093 6,498 "6,270 8,185 dinating the policies on antimony produc-
"Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in “Total.” tion and trade between the two countries.
5
ANTIMONY—1990
TABLE 8
U.S. EXPORTS OF ANTIMONY METAL, ALLOYS, WASTE AND SCRAP, BY COUNTRY
1989 1990
Country Gross weight Value Gross weight Value
(metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)
Belgium 38 $45 299 $345
Canada 53 188
Colombia 101 38
Germany, Federal Republic of 3
Jamaica
Japan
Mexico 74
Netherlands
United Kingdom 269
Venezuela 121
Other 102
Total? 588 1,143
‘Less than 1/2 unit.
Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding.
Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 9
U.S. EXPORTS OF ANTIMONY OXIDE, BY COUNTRY
1989 1990
Country Gross Antimony Gross eT Valance
Value
weight content! weight
(thousands) content (thousands)
(metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons)
Australia y 2 $8
Belgium 14 12 70 4 All
Brazil 9 oa 12 Wl
Canada 505 637 2,324
Chile — 14 55
Colombia 4] 29 111
Dominican Republic 111 AS 18
France 109 17 60
Germany, Federal Republic of 68 48 Zoi.
Hong Kong 3
India 10 6 34
Israel 58 30 98
Italy 294 882 1,676
Japan 51 183 598
Korea, Republic of el 17 65
Mexico. 637 4,807 6,954
Netherlands 29 149 843
Singapore 28 154 303
Spain Sp) 42 131
Switzerland 18
Taiwan 40 28 136
United Kingdom 39 14 65
Venezuela 22. 12 50
Other 76 39 95
Total? 2,229 1,850 7,139 13,962
‘Estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding.
Source: Bureau of the Census.
6
ANTIMONY—1990