Antimony trade has slowed this month in the United States as domestic customers resist attempts by China, which dominates world supply of the flame-retardant metal, to increase prices already at their highest in a decade,
But American consumers said a shortage of antimony, a legacy of mine closures after a fatal accident five years ago, and worries that Beijing may slap an export tax on antimony in the short term, should drive prices up in the next few weeks.
The metal, which has risen by more than a third in value since the start of the year, is around $5,500-5,600/tonne.
“It's like climbing a mountain step-by-step. The price will have a rest and then it will move up,” one dealer said.
China supplies about 80% of the world's antimony, a metal valued in the plastics and electronics sectors for its ability to withstand flames. With few alternative suppliers, US and European consumers have been paying higher prices this year.
"Customers will wait and see what's going to happen. End-users are a little bit upset about the price," the dealer said.
Inventories are low, say suppliers. A network of mines in Nandan, an area in southern China where most of the country's antimony is found, has been shut since a flood in 2001 killed more than 80 people and prompted a crackdown on small miners.
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