稀土供应链无法绕开中国
2024-09-03 05:47阅读：
A factory inspection being carried out on solar cells. In recent
years, the global shift to green energy has created new demand for
antimony, which is used in solar cell production
Global supply chains can't skirt China rare earths
crackdown
Long-term shortage of rare metal antimony, a critical material in
the defence supply chain, could pose security risk
Roula Khalaf
Batteries, solar panels and nuclear weapons all have one material
in common: antimony. As Beijing tightens its grip on rare-earth
materials — seen as retaliation for growing trade restrictions and
tariffs on Chinese-made products — global supply chains won’t be
able to avoid the fallout.
Rare metals prices have surged in recent months a
s China has started to increase restrictions on exports of the
critical materials. But few have spiked like antimony. Last month,
authorities announced the implementation of export licences on
antimony, with the new measures going into effect on September
15.
Antimony’s flame and heat resistant properties make it crucial in
the production of batteries, especially lead-acid storage batteries
and those used in cars. It is also used to make other car parts
including brake pads.
In recent years, the global shift to green energy has created new
demand for antimony. The material is able to improve transparency
for the cover glass on solar cells. This super-clear glass helps
the performance of solar cells and is also used in the screens of
smartphones.
More crucially, a long-term shortage of antimony could pose a
security risk. It is a critical material in the defence supply
chain, and is used in everything from nuclear weapons production to
making night vision goggles, ammunition and infrared sensors.
The export restrictions have yet to go into effect. But antimony
prices have already hit a record high. Spot prices in Europe and
China have surpassed $25,000 per tonne, more than double prices at
the end of last year.
For global users of this element, finding a substitute supplier
does not look easy. Demand is high and China is the biggest
producer of antimony globally, with nearly half the global market
share, according to the US Geological Survey.
The US, in contrast, has not mined any marketable antimony since
1997. Production from countries such as Russia and Myanmar would
introduce complications into supply chains thanks to sanctions.
Even these deposits are also often partially mined by Chinese-owned
companies, which have a dominant position in processing and
refining the material once mined.
Shares in Hunan Gold Corporation, one of the biggest antimony
producers, have gained 35 per cent this year. Shares of Perpetua
Resources, whose gold-antimony mine in Idaho is one of the rare US
sources of antimony deposits, are up by half over the past month
with shares nearly tripling in the past six months.
Until the world’s supply chains find an alternative to
Chinese-controlled sources of antimony, prices should only keep
going up.
