Gold mining company NevGold reports up to 92% extraction of antimony from its successful metallurgical testing at the Gold-Antimony Limo Butte Project in Nevada.
In the realm of critical minerals, antimony – a key component in flame retardants, batteries, and defense applications – is seeing a significant shift in the United States. With China dominating over 70% of global production, the U.S. is aiming to diversify its supply and reduce dependence on foreign sources.
U.S. Antimony Trade Balance
As of mid-2025, the United States exhibits a negative trade balance in antimony, importing significantly more than it exports. In May 2025, the U.S. imported $21.7 million worth of antimony while exporting only $3.53 million, resulting in an $18.2 million deficit. Primary import sources include Vietnam, Thailand, India, Tajikistan, and China, while exports go mostly to Canada, Mexico, and other countries.
Domestic Production Capacity
United States Antimony Corporation (USAC or UAMY), the leading domestic antimony producer, is actively expanding its mining operations. In 2025, UAMY has acquisition and mining rights for 23,800 acres in Alaska (including the Mohawk Mine option) and 1,200 acres near Thompson Falls, Montana, near its smelter site. The company aims to increase production capacity from current levels of approximately 200 tons per month to over 150 metric tons monthly by early 2026. The Thompson Falls site is undergoing expansion expected to complete by the end of 2025.
Recent Domestic Mining Activity
In addition to its domestic operations, UAMY has expanded international supply contracts to reduce reliance on single sources, securing tons of antimony from Australia, Canada, Chad, and Bolivia in the first half of 2025.
Impact of Executive Actions
The company's move to ramp up domestic production aligns with U.S. strategic focus on reducing dependence on foreign antimony. Although direct details from recent executive orders are limited, the trends and UAMY's active mining land acquisitions, permit pursuits, and production expansions strongly suggest these are influenced by U.S. government initiatives to secure supply chains for critical minerals, including antimony. These policies typically include easing regulatory barriers, funding for domestic mining, and strategic stockpiling to reduce import reliance.
The Stibnite Project
Meanwhile, Perpetua Resources Corp., an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in Nevada and Idaho, has the most advanced domestic gold-antimony project in the United States, located in Idaho. The project, named Stibnite, is approximately 130 km northeast of NevGold's Nutmeg Mountain and Zeus projects. Over $1.8 billion in indicative financing from the Export Import Bank of the United States has been secured by Perpetua for Stibnite.
Perpetua's Qualified Person for the Stibnite project is Greg French, CPG, Vice President, Exploration at Perpetua Resources. The company recently announced positive antimony metallurgical recovery results at its Limousine Butte Project in Nevada.
Critical Mineral Security
Antimony is considered a "Critical Mineral" in the United States, essential for national security, clean energy, and technology applications. However, no domestically mined supply currently exists. The positive antimony recoveries at Perpetua's projects, such as Stibnite, could play a significant role in addressing this gap.
The U.S. Executive Order aims to strengthen American mineral production and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign nations for its mineral supply, including antimony. In addition, the government has awarded $75 million in Department of Defense awards to Perpetua for advancements at Stibnite.
In summary, the expansion of domestic antimony production, supported by government initiatives, could lead to increased domestic supply, reduced import dependency, and improved critical mineral security over the next 1-2 years.
- The United States government's initiatives, such as easing regulatory barriers, funding for domestic mining, and strategic stockpiling, are intended to increase domestic antimony production, aligning with the aim of reducing dependence on foreign sources and improving critical mineral security.
- With positive antimony recoveries at Perpetua Resources' projects, such as Stibnite, there is a potential for domestic production of antimony, an essential mineral for national security, clean energy, and technology applications, which currently does not exist in the United States.
