Antimony Availability--Market Economy Countries. A Minerals Availability Appraisal

摘要

The Bureau of Mines studied the potential availability of primary antimony (Sb) from demonstrated resources in 21 mines and deposits in market economy countries (MEC's). Twelve of these properties were evaluated as producers and nine as non-producers. The 21 studied properties contain 499,600 (metric tons) Sb as demonstrated resources, of which 304,000 (metric tons) is recoverable as antimony metal; another 973,500 (metric tons) Sb is contained in inferred resources. Recoverable antimony from demonstrated U.S. deposits is only 10,700 (metric tons), just 3.5 pct of the MEC total. The United States will thus continue to rely on imported ores and/or concentrates, antimony oxides, and metal to satisfy domestic industrial requirements.