Korea Zinc to Promote Antimony Exports to the US... Contributing to De-China Supply Chain

A Strategic Resource Used in Semiconductors and Defense Products
China Accounts for 60% of Production and Restricts Exports
Expected to Contribute to Building a Stable Supply Chain

Korea Zinc (Chairman Choi Yoon-beom) is promoting the export of antimony, a core mineral and strategic mineral resource, to the United States.

According to Korea Zinc on the 15th, the company plans to promote the export of antimony to the U.S. Antimony is a key mineral widely used in lead-acid batteries, cable sheathing, semiconductors, infrared devices, defense products, flame retardants, and is included in more than 6,300 components used by the U.S. Department of Defense. In particular, antimony is an essential material for weapons manufacturing and is managed as a strategic resource in the United States and the European Union (EU).

Overview of Korea Zinc Onsan Smelter. Provided by Korea Zinc

The problem is that a significant portion of the supply depends on China. China is the world's largest producer of antimony, accounting for about 60% of global production as of last year. However, since last year, the Chinese government has restricted exports of antimony and related technologies citing national security reasons, causing disruptions in the global supply chain.

In this situation, Korea Zinc, the only domestic producer of antimony, is playing an increasingly important role. Korea Zinc entered the antimony business in 2014 and has enhanced both eco-friendliness and profitability by utilizing antimony extracted during the smelting process. Last year, it produced over 3,600 tons, meeting domestic and international demand.

First, Korea Zinc plans to export several hundred tons annually to the U.S. and gradually increase export volumes according to demand. If this U.S. export is successful, it is expected to contribute to building a stable supply chain and diversifying import sources.

A Korea Zinc official said, "Going forward, Korea Zinc will continue to contribute as a national key industry to the national economy and security, and further to stabilizing the de-China supply chain of major minerals worldwide." He added, "We aim to play a role in establishing a de-China supply chain not only in non-ferrous metal smelting but also in secondary battery materials."