Gustafson and Jones reported in mid-June 2025 that America’s need for antimony is not going away, but it can’t produce what it needs on its own. Following the recent approval of a final federal permit, an American company will begin the process of reopening an antimony mine in Idaho—a renewed mining initiative that marks an important step for the United States’ quest for critical mineral independence.
Antimony, whose supply is dominated by China, is a critical mineral for defense production. The mineral’s utility stems from its flame-retardant properties and its use in essential tools, including bullets, nuclear weapons, infrared missile technology, lead-acid batteries, and night-vision capabilities. To support such production, the United States uses over 50 million pounds of the mineral annually, 90 percent of which is imported. For the sake of national security, domestic production must be maximized to the largest possible extent.
Before World War II, the United States relied on China for antimony. However, Japan’s invasion of China restricted the sale of the critical mineral, driving the United States to shift toward domestic production in the Stibnite mine in Idaho. Yet after the war, the mine could no longer maintain consistent profits, and it closed in 1997.
Today, there are no viable domestic mining operations of antimony in the United States This leaves critical defense productions dependent upon foreign suppliers—an unacceptable risk, especially given that the two largest reserves of antimony belong to two of the greatest US adversaries: Russia and China. Recently, the United States has imported antimony from various sources, including Italy, China, India, Belgium, and Mexico. China accounted for 63 percent of the total imports through 2023.
Mathematically, this makes sense, given that China is the world’s largest producer of antimony (producing 40,000 metric tons in 2023). The second largest producer is Tajikistan (at 21,000 metric tons), followed by Turkey, at 6,000 metric tons. The negative consequences of this dependency have already become abundantly clear. In September 2024, China introduced new controls on antimony exports, requiring the United States to obtain a license to purchase antimony. Only months later, China’s Ministry of Commerce imposed further restrictions and specifically forbade all sales of antimony to the United States.
To meet defense industry needs, the the current White House administration has prioritized reviving domestic antimony production—ultimately leading Perpetua Resources, a Boise-based resource development company, to develop plans to reopen the Stibnite antimony mine in Idaho. While domestic production in Idaho will contribute to securing US antimony supply, the Stibnite mine is only estimated to meet 35 percent of US demand through the initial six years of production, and that won’t begin for at least three years. Unfortunately, no other antimony mines in the United States have been developed. While deposits of antimony are believed to exist in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada, developing these mines would take far too long; our demand remains an issue of immediate concern. That means the United States must expand antimony supply chains and source more from countries other than China.
The most immediately available and logical source is Tajikistan—a nation that already maintains close defense cooperation with the United States and happens to be a leading exporter of antimony. In 2024, the United States purchased more antimony from Tajikistan than ever before, a trend that corresponds with the recent implementation of Chinese trade restrictions.
Now, the United States must prioritize cultivating a mutually beneficial relationship with Tajikistan to secure continued access to its antimony market. Tajikistan isn’t just the world’s second-largest producer of antimony—it’s also the largest exporter. Thus, it represents the most viable and immediate solution to support US antimony supply gaps, given the present tumultuous trade relationship between the United States and China.
America’s need for antimony is non-negotiable, but its source is up for debate. When searching for sources of antimony, Washington must remember that the best option is to produce it domestically, and the next best option is to procure it from friendly governments. The worst option is to keep getting it from China. Washington must act accordingly.
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