Roughly 20 metric tons of antimony were recently loaded onto a cargo vessel bound for Baltimore, Maryland, marking a significant milestone in Washington’s efforts to diversify sources of critical minerals and reduce its reliance on China.
The shipment, arranged as a spot transaction, is expected to arrive next month and be distributed through local importers to approximately 10 American companies, including several major defense contractors, the sources said.
“South Korean exports of antimony to the U.S. will play an important role in diversifying supply chains away from their original dependence on China,” said Park So-young, a senior researcher at the Korea International Trade Association.
The move comes as the United States seeks to secure more resilient supply chains for strategic materials. Last year, more than 60 percent of America’s antimony imports originated from China, which imposed export controls on the mineral and other critical materials in August.
Korea Zinc aims to export about 100 tons of antimony to the United States this year. Beginning in 2025, the company expects to ramp up shipments to more than 240 tons annually, with plans for monthly deliveries of 20 tons.
Antimony is a key component in a range of military and high-tech applications. It is used in armor-piercing ammunition, semiconductors, submarine ballast systems, and aerospace technologies. The mineral is also essential in the production of infrared components for the missile warning systems on F-35 fighter jets.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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