Saturday, July 18, 2015

An Introduction To Antimony

Antimony-4.jpg

What Is It?

Antimony, a chemical element with symbol Sb & atomic number 51, is a lustrous grey metalloid that is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite. While the majority of the modern day applications of antimony are based on its metallic nature, the ancients used it mainly as a cosmetic or a medicine.

Antimony was discovered in Egypt around 3100 BC & was used as an eye cosmetic called "Kohl". Greek scholar Pliny the Elder wrote at length about the medicinal properties of antimony in his book "Natural History" around 79 AD. The medical applications of antimony were further popularized by the translations of Arab medical treatises by Constantine the African around 1050 to 1100 AD.

Where Is It Found & Who Are The Biggest Suppliers?

Antimony can be found in small quantities in many places around the world; according to the United States Geological Survey, the world has an annual antimony output of 135,000 tonnes, of which the top 5 producers of the element produce 131,000 tonnes or approximately 97%.

The breakdown of that 97% is as follows:

1. THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: 120,000 tonnes or 88.9%
2. SOUTH AFRICA: 3,000 tonnes or 2.2%
3. BOLIVIA: 3,000 tonnes or 2.2%
4. RUSSIA: 3,000 tonnes or 2.2%
5. TAJIKISTAN: 2,000 tonnes or 1.5%

The world's largest antimony deposit can be found in the Xikuangshan Mine in Lengshuijiang City, Hunan Province, southern China. The Xikuangshan Mine has been calculated to contribute over 50% of the total world production of antimony.

The world's largest antimony mining companies are all Chinese. Their names & annual antimony production are as follows:

* Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star = 55,000 tonnes
* Hunan Chenzhou Mining = 20,000 tonnes
* China Tin Group = 20,000 tonnes
* Shenyang Huachang Antimony = 15,000 tonnes

What Are Its Uses & How Much Does It Cost?

The most popular applications for antimony are in flame retardants, batteries, plain bearings & solders, which together account for 80% of the use of global antimony stocks. The remaining 20% is used in the production of polyesters, TV screens, pigments, silicon wafers, infra-red detectors, Hall-effect devices, safety matches & veterinary drugs.

According to MetalPrices.com (licensed data distributor for LME, COMEX, NYMEX & SHFE), antimony is currently being traded at the rate of US$3.60 per pound. That comes to approximately US$7,900 or PKR 808,000 per metric tonne.

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