Development and challenges of China's antimony industry
Antimony,as a critical minor metal,holds a significant strategic position globally and plays a crucial role in key areas such as batteries,flame retardants,alloys,semiconductors,catalysts,and the pharmaceutical industry.China,as the world's largest producer and consumer of antimony,has a concentrated distribution of antimony resources,predominantly found in provinces like Hunan,Guangxi,Xizang,Guizhou and Yunnan.However,in recent years,there has been a notable decline antimony ore resource reserves of China,weakening its resource security capabilities.Coupled with reduced exploration investment and a lack of new discoveries,China's share of global antimony resources has decreased.Facing challenges such as resource deple-tion,insufficient technological innovation,pressures for industrial structure adjustment,intensifying international market competition,and uncertainties in the international trade environment,the article proposes a series of strategic recommendations.These include strengthening resource exploration and international cooperation,promoting industrial upgrading and technological innovation,establishing a risk early warning and emergency mechanism,optimizing the industrial structure and layout,enhancing industry self-discipline and social responsibility,and strengthening the strategic reserve of antimony resources.The implementation of these measures aims to reduce the operational risks of the antimony industry,promote its sustainable development,and thereby make a positive contribution to ensuring national resource security and fostering high-quality economic growth.