China to Restrict Antimony Exports Next Month

China's Commerce Ministry announced that starting Sept. 15, it will impose export controls on antimony, a mineral used in products ranging from flame retardants and batteries to night-vision goggles and nuclear weapons. The restrictions aim to protect China's security and allow it to achieve its international non-proliferation commitments, per the ministry. Exporters will need to secure a license, though the exact extent of the export limitations remains unclear. The ministry highlighted that any compliant exports would continue, but condemned any use of the mineral that threatens China's sovereignty and security.

The controls also extend to technologies and machinery related to smelting, separation, and super-hard materials. This move comes after China in 2023 placed export controls on gallium and germanium, which are used in computer chips and solar cells, to safeguard national security. The United States has similarly restricted China's access to advanced semiconductor technology on security grounds. China holds a dominant position as a major antimony producer, a fact that has caused concern among some US policymakers about dependence on Chinese sources. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)