Antimony: Lesser Known, Yet Highly Critical

Antimony: An overview

A silvery-blue metalloid element, antimony is primarily found in the mineral ore known as stibnite — a steel-gray sulfide that largely forms in hydrothermal deposits alongside gneiss, limestone and granite.

In addition to stibnite, the element also occurs in over a hundred different minerals, including kermesite, argentiferous tetrahedrite, jamesonite and livingstonite. Although it is brittle and flaky, antimony is regarded for its strengthening and hardening capabilities as an alloying agent.

Antimony has a history that spans millennia. There are historical records of multiple civilizations using the element in both its metallic and sulfide form for everything from pottery to medical remedies and makeup.

Records from the 15th century also indicate that antimony was used in various alchemical practises, as well as in alloys for products such as mirrors and bells.

Yet for all its applications, antimony was not generally regarded as a critical strategic resource until sometime around the 1900s. That is when the element began being used in a range of different military applications, owing to its role in the creation of tungsten steel and as a hardening agent for lead. Today, antimony is used in precision optics, night-vision goggles, armor-piercing rounds, explosives, hardened lead, ammunition primers, infrared sensors, military clothing, communications equipment and even nuclear weaponry.

As of writing, China maintains a stranglehold on global antimony supply, controlling about 90 percent of global antimony production along with Russia and Tajikistan — despite a steadily declining share of global production.

Antimony's role in electrification

In addition to its military applications, antimony is also required to manufacture semiconductors, electric switches, fluorescent lighting, high-quality clear glass and lithium-ion batteries.

Without antimony, the majority of modern technology would be impossible to produce.

This applies equally to cleantech and renewable energy. Antimony is a key element in the production of solar panels and wind turbines. Moreover, the mineral is integral to the development and production of liquid metal batteries, which look to be a reliable, safe alternative for battery power storage.

A study by the US International Trade Commission found that expanded uses for antimony contribute to its inclusion as a critical material, particularly with respect to battery technology.

“Antimony has become increasingly prevalent in electrical and energy related technologies. Over the past decade, antimony appeared in over a thousand U.S. electrical applications patents. Liquid metal batteries, an emerging battery technology, incorporates antimony in the cathodic material," it states.

Shoring up supplies

Unfortunately, antimony mining remains exclusive to certain countries. According to the US Geological Survey, China remains the largest antimony producer, accounting for over 36 percent of global antimony production in 2025, followed by Russia at roughly 29 percent. And as China imposes new restrictions on antimony exports, countries around the world are increasingly motivated to look for and develop more stable and secure sources for this critical mineral.

Recognizing the emerging demand for antimony and its crucial role in the modern world, exploration companies are increasingly looking at antimony projects that can potentially yield considerable value.

NevGold (TSXV:NAU,OTCQX:NAUFF) is one such company. In 2021, the company acquired 100 percent interest in the Limousine Butte project in Nevada. The property covers around 68 square kilometers of the southern Cherry Creek Range.

Hosting near-surface oxide mineralization, including antimony-bearing zones identified on historical heap leach pads, the project presents a potential near-term production opportunity.

NevGold is advancing the project with ongoing technical studies and exploration to deliver a Mineral Resource Estimate by the second quarter of 2026 to quantify the amount of contained antimony at the project.

CEO Brandon Bonifacio noted the project represents one of the only at-surface antimony opportunities in the US with potential to reach metal production by 2027. High-grade oxide antimony-gold has been intercepted at the project, with 11.42 grams per ton gold equivalent over 7.7 meters.

The Stibnite project in Idaho, owned by Perpetua Resources (TSX:PPTA,NASDAQ:PPTA), is the only other potential near-term producing US antimony mine, which is tracking to production by 2029 to 2030.

The historic Stibnite Mining District played a critical role following the outbreak of World War II, when US antimony supply was cut off by Japan. At the time, the operation supplied roughly 90 percent of the country’s antimony needs and contributed an estimated 40 percent of its tungsten production for steel hardening. Mining activities at the site continued intermittently in the decades that followed before ultimately ceasing in 1997.

Other players include the Hillgrove antimony-gold project in New South Wales by Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV,OTCPL:LRVTF) and the Costerfield mine in Victoria by Alkane Resources (ASX:ALK,TSX:ALK,OTCQX:ALKEF).

United States Antimony (NYSE:UAMY) has recently secured approval to uplist its common shares from the NYSE American to the New York Stock Exchange, marking a pivotal milestone in its growth journey. This transition comes at a time of rising investor focus on critical minerals and domestic supply chains, particularly antimony. Backed by US government initiatives to bolster critical mineral production, the NYSE uplisting is expected to further accelerate United States Antimony’s operational scale and reinforce its role in securing domestic supply.

Takeaway

Although antimony may not receive as much coverage as other more popular critical minerals, it's no less important. Already essential to multiple applications within the technology and military sectors, antimony has only grown progressively more important with the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Mining companies around the world are working to meet the ever-increasing demand for the mineral — and each of these companies represents a new investment opportunity.

This INNspired article is sponsored by NevGold (TSXV:NAU,OTCQX:NAUFF,FWB:5E50). This INNspired article provides information which was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by NevGold in order to help investors learn more about the company. NevGold is a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this INNspired article.

This INNspired article was written according to INN editorial standards to educate investors.

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The information contained here is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Readers should conduct their own research for all information publicly available concerning the company. Prior to making any investment decision, it is recommended that readers consult directly with NevGold and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.