From: ltlee1@hotmail.com   
      
   "A supply shortage has triggered the steepest rally in price “ever   
   recorded” in the global antimony market since April, according to   
   FastMarkets who began recording prices from January 1980.   
      
   In May, prices reached US$17,588.88 per metric ton of antimony ingot, up   
   54% in 2024, according to the Shanghai Metals Exchange; prices in Europe   
   reached US$22,700 a ton on June 14, up more than 75% on 2023.   
      
   And now China has announced it will impose export limits on antimony   
   because of “national security.”   
      
   The reason: an extreme shortage of supply from China, Russia, and south   
   east Asia, while demand from solar power soars.   
      
   “Antimony is becoming a crazy dangerous market… It is hurting the   
   industry, causing irreparable damage” — a trader told Argus, noting that   
   consumers are getting hit by the higher prices and reduced availability   
   ..   
   Supply   
   China   
      
   Total global antimony mine production in 2023 was approximately 83,000   
   tonnes. The largest producer, by far, is China — but this is steadily   
   decreasing.   
      
       in 2000, China produced 100,000 tonnes, out of a global total of   
   121,000 tonnes   
       in 2024, China produces 40,000 tonnes, out of a total of 83,000   
   tonnes   
      
   Not only is China’s percentage falling, but supply elsewhere is not   
   acting as a substitute for the fall in China production."   
      
   https://theoregongroup.com/energy-transition/market-trends/why-a   
   e-antimony-prices-exploding/   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)