Core Viewpoint - China is the dominant country in global antimony resources and production, but the depletion of high-quality resources and increasing mining difficulties are significant challenges. The National Development and Reform Commission has included antimony in the "National Security Reserve List," aiming to increase the reserve target to 25,000 tons [1][6]. Industry Overview - Antimony oxide, primarily in the forms of antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) and antimony pentoxide (Sb₂O₅), is a common antimony oxide. Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. Antimony trioxide is a white cubic crystal, soluble in hydrochloric acid and tartaric acid, but insoluble in water and acetic acid. Antimony pentoxide is a pale yellow powder, difficult to dissolve in water, and slightly soluble in alkali, forming antimonates [2][4]. Industry Chain - The upstream of the antimony oxide industry chain includes antimony ore resources, coal, soda ash, and various production equipment. The midstream involves the production and manufacturing of antimony oxide. The downstream applications include flame retardants, bearings, glass clarifiers, lead-acid batteries, electronic materials, and pharmaceuticals [4]. Industry Status - In 2024, China's antimony oxide production is projected to be 105,100 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 6.76%, while consumption is expected to be 74,900 tons, down 2.87% [6]. The average grade of domestic antimony ore has declined from 0.8% in 2010 to 0.6% in 2024, increasing mining costs by 30% [8]. The operating rate of antimony mines in China is expected to remain below 50% due to strict environmental inspections and safety issues [10]. Key Enterprises - The antimony industry in China is highly concentrated, with Hunan Gold Group and Flash Star Antimony Co., Ltd. forming a duopoly. Hunan Gold holds the largest market share, followed by Flash Star Antimony, Huaxi Nonferrous Metals, and Hunan Yutong Mining [14][16]. Hunan Gold has a comprehensive antimony industry chain and produced 29,200 tons of antimony products in 2024, a decrease of 6.15% year-on-year [16]. Development Trends 1. **Policy-Driven Resource Integration and Strategic Reserve Enhancement** - China is constructing a national security system for antimony resources through export controls, environmental inspections, and strategic reserve policies. The export control policy implemented in September 2024 aims to prioritize domestic demand, leading to a surge in antimony prices globally [20]. 2. **Technological Innovation Leading Industry Upgrade and High-End Transformation** - The antimony industry is advancing through technological innovations that enhance resource utilization and extend into high-value-added fields. New smelting processes and product developments are addressing environmental concerns and improving recovery rates [21][22]. 3. **Breaking Resource Constraints and Deepening Global Layout** - Companies are accelerating global expansion to address resource constraints. Hunan Gold plans to increase high-end antimony production capacity and pursue overseas resource acquisitions [23].