Chapter IX: Antimony

BY H. G. FERGUSON AND D. A. HALL

USES OF ANTIMONY

The following summary of the _uses of antimony_ is taken from _Mineral Resources of United States_, 1918.[90]

[90] BASTIN, E. S.: “Antimony in 1918,” _Mineral Resources of the
United States_, 1918. U. S. Geol. Survey, 1919.

Peace uses.--Metallic antimony unalloyed has few industrial uses.
In the form of fine powder, known as “iron black,” it is used for
producing the appearance of polished steel on articles made of
papier-maché or pottery. For these purposes it is precipitated by
the action of metallic zinc in an acid solution of antimony salts.
Antimony alloys readily with most heavy metals and the alloy is
harder than the two pure metals. Most of these alloys possess the
property of slight expansion on solidifying. Type metal is an alloy
of antimony, lead, and tin; babbitt, anti-friction, or bearing
metal is usually an alloy of antimony, tin, and copper. Britannia
metal, also known as “white metal,” is an alloy of antimony, tin,
and copper, with some zinc, and, rarely, small quantities of other
metals. It is used in making cheap domestic tableware, teapots, and
spoons. Antimony alloys find minor utilization in battery plates,
toys, cable coverings, and siphon tops. Lead-antimony alloy or hard
lead is used in making acid-resisting valves.

White antimony oxide, mainly the tetraoxide (Sb₂O₄), is used for
making opaque white enamel and other sanitary ware. In this use
antimony oxides compete with tin oxide. Antimony oxide, mainly
trioxide, is used as a coloring agent in the manufacture of glass,
as it is more readily fusible than tetraoxide and does not impart
opacity to the glass. Antimony oxides are further used as paint
pigments.

The red sulphides of antimony are used in vulcanizing and coloring
red rubber and also as paint pigments. The natural antimony
trisulphide, stibnite, enters into the composition of safety matches
or of the compound that is put on the match box.

Antimonate of lead containing an excess of lead oxide, known as
“Naples yellow,” is used in oil paints and in the glass and ceramic
industries. The antimony salt, tartar emetic (double tartrate of
antimony and potassium), and antimony fluoride are employed as
mordants in dyeing. Tartar emetic and antimony trioxide are employed
medicinally.

War uses.--Antimonial lead carrying 12 to 13 per cent. of antimony is
employed in the manufacture of shrapnel bullets. Smaller quantities
of liquated antimony sulphide are used in the primers of shells. For
this last purpose it is claimed the material must carry less than 2
per cent. of impurities insoluble in hydrochloric acid. Antimony
sulphide as a powder is used in the charge of some shells to produce
on explosion a white smoke which is of service in range finding.

During the war Germany used antimony to some extent as a substitute for more important metals in the manufacture of currency, but shortage of antimony itself did not allow this use to become important.

GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION

The geological distribution of commercial antimony depends, with a few exceptions, upon the distribution of the principal ore mineral, stibnite (antimony sulphide). Cervantite, sernarmontite and valentinite are antimony oxides resulting directly from the decomposition of stibnite near the surface, and with other oxidized products form the chief ores of certain districts. Metallic antimony, also a result of oxidation of the sulphides, is rarely found, and still more rarely is it an ore mineral. Jamesonite, the sulphide of antimony and lead, is of frequent occurrence and is the principal ore of one important deposit in Mexico. Antimony is also recovered from the refining of antimonial lead.

Stibnite occurs in quartz veins and related deposits. Many of the important antimony deposits of the world occur in more or less close genetic relationship with eruptives of Tertiary age. The ore often gives way to pyrite with depth. A few important deposits occur in connection with intrusive rocks formed at considerable depth and are probably of contact metamorphic origin.

Although there is a wide diversity in the forms of the deposits and the nature of enclosing rocks, stibnite shows a distinct tendency to form replacements in limestone. The chief gangue minerals are quartz and calcite. Of other sulphides pyrite is the commonest, but cinnabar, realgar, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite are often present as accessories. A characteristic feature of stibnite deposits is the relative scarcity of other sulphides; and it is equally true that important sulphide deposits of other metals rarely contain stibnite. An exception to the general rule is cinnabar, the sulphide of mercury, which is a characteristic mineral of certain stibnite veins. Likewise stibnite is one of the minerals most frequently associated with cinnabar deposits.

Several of the most important antimony districts owe their production of that metal to the presence of recoverable amounts of gold. This is true of certain French, Hungarian, Australian, and South African deposits.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, AND POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTROL

Although antimony has been produced at times from a great many localities in the world, in only a few countries have deposits been developed to an important extent commercially. Under normal conditions of consumption the potential supply of antimony ore is far in excess of the demand. Consequently only those deposits that can be cheaply worked and are favorably situated with regard to markets, or contain appreciable amounts of other minerals, principally gold, have been extensively exploited.

The antimony-producing countries of the world may be divided into three groups as follows:

1. Chief producing countries in order of importance: China, France and Algeria, and Mexico.

2. Countries in which production is irregular in normal times but in which potential reserves are considerable, and production becomes important at high-price levels: The former Austrian Empire, Bolivia, Australia (Victoria), Burma, South Africa, Italy, Spain, and Asia Minor.

3. Countries in which normal production is small and in which known reserves are probably less important: United States and Alaska, Canada, Peru, Germany, Turkey (Asia Minor), Serbia, Portugal, Borneo, Indo-China, and Japan.

Plate VI shows the geographical distribution of the chief antimony deposits of the world.

The production statistics of the various countries are so little in accord that it is impossible to give more than a rough comparison between the important producers. As nearly as can be estimated the output of antimony ore in 1913, the last year for which even approximately complete statistics are available, amounted to about 20,000 metric tons of recoverable antimony. The consumption is even more difficult to estimate, as customs figures for different countries vary widely. The following table shows the relative importance of the principal producing and consuming countries in terms of percentage of the world’s output in 1913:

TABLE 31.--PERCENTAGE OF ANTIMONY PRODUCED AND CONSUMED

--------------------+----------+-----------
|Percentage|Percentage
| of | of
Country |production|consumption
--------------------+----------+-----------
Austria-Hungary | 4 | 4
France | 24 | 20
Germany | (small) | 20
Italy | 2 | 2
United Kingdom | 0 | 12
Serbia | 1 | 0
Asia Minor | 1 | 0
Japan | 0 } | 10
China | 51 } |
Algiers | 1 | 0
United States | 0 | 32
Mexico | 11 | 0
Australia (Victoria)| 4 | (small)
All other | 1 | (small)
| --- | ---
| 100 | 100
--------------------+----------+-----------

In the following discussion of the world’s antimony resources, political control is largely indicated by the country headings, under which are summarized the essential features of the commercial control of production, by ownership of mines and reduction plants, and by trading interests.

North America.

_United States._--Antimony deposits occur in many places in the United States, but during peace times the comparatively high costs of mining in this country do not permit competition with the Chinese and Mexican mines. A small production of antimonial lead from domestic ores was made prior to the war and a small amount of antimony recovered as a by-product of lead refining, but except for this the country was entirely dependent upon imported antimony.

High prices following the outbreak of the war brought a quick response in the production of antimony ores. The mine production of antimony ore in 1915 was about 5,000 short tons containing 2,100 short tons of metal, and in 1916 was 4,500 short tons containing about 1,770 short tons of metal. The lower prices of 1917 were reflected in the decreased output for that year, amounting to 1,060 short tons of ore containing 390 tons of metal. The 1918 production was 190 tons, containing about 50 tons of metal.

The chief producing states in order of importance were Nevada, California, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Arkansas. Utah and Arizona yielded insignificant amounts. In Nevada the Sutherland mine, in Humboldt County, was the principal producer. In California, the greater part of the output was from two mines in Inyo and Kern counties operated by the Western Metals Co., of Los Angeles, the ore being shipped to San Pedro, near Los Angeles, for smelting. In Washington the antimony was produced at the property of the Gold Creek Antimony Mining & Smelting Co., in Okanogan County. In Oregon the Jim Dandy mine, near Baker City, was the principal producer. In Arkansas one property in Sevier County yielded a noteworthy output of ore in 1916 and also a small quantity of metallic antimony at a local reduction plant. In Alaska the production was mainly from the Fairbanks district, the ore being shipped to Los Angeles and Seattle for smelting.

The ownership of mines within the United States does not play an important part in the present control of the world’s resources, inasmuch as production under normal conditions is insignificant. It is possible that with the development of new uses for antimony, and a greater demand for that metal, the reserves in this country may become of commercial importance.

About 40 per cent. of the Mexican antimony output is controlled in the United States. An American-owned smelter was built during the war at San Luis Potosi. Ores from mines in this region have also been shipped to the Western Metals Co. at Los Angeles. An American concern, the Antimony Corporation, owns a large deposit of jamesonite, antimony-lead sulphide, in Mexico, which constitutes an important reserve that has not yet been developed. Antimony deposits in northern Mexico were worked by American capital during the war. Prior to the year 1914 only one company in the United States had attempted the smelting of antimony. During the war considerable activity prevailed, however, and several companies undertook the smelting of foreign and domestic ores. China, Bolivia, and Mexico were the principal sources of supply. The success of all these enterprises has been only temporary, as under normal conditions the high cost of production in this country prevents successful competition with Chinese and Japanese metal. American smelting interests exert little control on the antimony of the world at present, and can not be expected to do so in the immediate future. The smelter capacity of the country is estimated at 6,000 to 7,000 tons of metal per annum, all of which is now idle. One company, the Antimony & Compounds Co. of America, is closely connected with a French company, La Lucette.

_Canada._--Antimony production in Canada has been extremely irregular. During periods of high prices a considerable output was obtained, the years of maximum production being 1898, with shipments of 1,344 short tons of ore, and 1907, with 2,016 short tons. Mining ceased in 1910 and was not resumed until 1915. In 1915, 1,341 tons of 40 per cent. (metal content) ore were produced; in 1916, 885 tons of 42 per cent. ore; and 361 tons in 1917.

The principal producing district is at West Gore, Nova Scotia, where the ore in addition to its antimony content has a tenor of 2 to 4 ounces of gold per ton. Other regions that have produced antimony ore are New Brunswick (York County), British Columbia, Quebec, and Yukon Territory. In British Columbia (Slocan District) and Yukon Territory (Chieftain Hills) antimonial lead ores are also worked. The Nova Scotia ores, which furnished the bulk of the production, have been exported to England since 1915; the earlier production went to Germany. The small production of refined antimony came chiefly as a by-product of lead refining at the smelter of the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co., at Trail, B. C.; a small amount of antimony was also smelted from antimony ores by the New Brunswick Metals, Ltd. (formerly the Canadian Antimony Co.) at Lake George, N. B. Canada appears to be in about the same position as the United States with reference to antimony mining. High prices, continued over a long period, will bring out a considerable production, but no output is to be expected at peace-time prices.

_Mexico._--Antimony deposits exist in many parts of Mexico and there has been a considerable production for many years. As in other countries, the output increased largely during 1915 and 1916. The production of metallic antimony for 1917 is reported as 2,141 metric tons. In 1914 there were exported to England 1,543 long tons of crude antimony and regulus; there were no exports to England in 1918, but 1,449 short tons of ore and 2,660 of metal were shipped to the United States.

The principal mines are in the Sierra Catorce, in the states of San Luis Potosi and Queretaro. The ores are mixed sulphides and oxides and carry 5 to 50 per cent. antimony.

A smelter with an annual capacity of 6,000 tons of metal was built at Wadley in 1900, and most of the production formerly went to England, but since 1915 has been marketed in the United States. The smelter and most important mines are owned by Cookson’s, of England, through a subsidiary, the Republican Mining & Metal Co. American interests own other properties in the same region, and during the war a smelter was constructed at San Luis Potosi by the International Mining & Metal Co. In western Sonora, near the Gulf of California, there are deposits of oxidized ores that furnished a considerable part of the ore imported into the United States. These are owned by American capital.

A large deposit of lead-antimony ore (jamesonite) at Zimapan, Hidalgo, owned by The Antimony Corporation, an American firm, has not yet reached the producing stage. Other deposits of possible importance are known in the states of Guerrero, Durango, Sonora, Mexico, Baja California, and elsewhere.

Political disturbances during the last few years have prevented an output of antimony commensurate with the probable capacity of the deposits. Production will probably be maintained in the future, even during periods of low prices.

South America.

_Bolivia._--The output of Bolivia was negligible before the war, but under the stimulus of high prices large amounts of high-grade ore were produced in 1915 and 1916. This ore was shipped principally to England, until an embargo was placed on Bolivian ore in 1918. The ore is high grade, that shipped averaging over 50 per cent. antimony, but the veins are small and become unproductive at shallow depth. It is possible that the known deposits have been largely exhausted; and although demand as strong as that of 1916 might result in new discoveries of importance, it is not likely that Bolivia can be an important producer when prices are under normal conditions.

Exports of ore amounted to 17,923 metric tons in 1915 (as against 186 in 1914); to 22,748 tons in 1916; and to 18,340 tons in 1917; but in 1918, for reasons given above, shipments dropped to 3,070 tons. From 75 to 90 per cent. of the ore went to England, and most of the remainder to the United States, except for about a thousand tons a year to France.

_Peru._--During the antimony boom of 1906-1907 a small amount of antimony was produced in Peru. No further production was made until 1915, when 522 tons of high-grade ore was mined. In 1916 the production rose to 1,876 tons of 60 per cent. ore. The 1917 production was 902 tons. Although deposits are known in many parts of the republic, over 90 per cent. of the production has come from the department of Puno, in southern Peru. Up to the present, profitable mining has been possible only during periods of high prices, but the deposits are said to be extensive, and it is possible that improved transportation facilities would result in some production under normal conditions.

Europe.

_Austria-Hungary._--The most important antimony deposits of the old Austrian Empire are those of Hungary and Bohemia. Others of minor importance are in Carniola, in Austria. The Hungarian deposits in 1913 furnished 11,017 tons of ore containing 1,038 tons of metal; for the rest of Austria the output was 1,270 tons of ore, but only 89 tons of metal. The low antimony content of the Hungarian deposits is compensated by the gold content, and these deposits have produced much more regularly than those of the other parts of the empire. So far as known the reserves are fairly large, but production can hardly be expected to increase greatly.

The productive capacity of both the Hungarian and Bohemian deposits is probably enough to supply local needs in normal times, and allow a surplus for export when economic conditions are favorable. Prior to the war, exports of regulus went to Germany and small amounts of ore were exported to France and England. During the war the Central Empires probably depended largely on the Austro-Hungarian deposits for their antimony supplies. All mines were worked by the government. It is known that certain mines that had been abandoned resumed operations.

_France._--France is the most important antimony-producing country in Europe and also controls important productive deposits in Algiers and Indo-China.

The French deposits are numerous but for the most part small. The most important of these is La Lucette, in Mayenne, where stibnite associated with auriferous pyrite has been mined for many years. This deposit was considered to be approaching exhaustion, but recent work is reported to have developed new ore bodies. The La Lucette company has recently extended its holdings in other parts of France, has bought properties in Algiers and the Transvaal, and in 1911 leased a smelter at Barcelona for the treatment of ores purchased abroad. The La Lucette company is also to some degree associated with the American firm of Antimony & Compounds Co. of America. Undeveloped deposits are known in Tunis, Morocco, French Guinea, and Madagascar.

French control of foreign supplies is not of great importance. In addition to its holdings in the Transvaal, the La Lucette company purchases some foreign ores. In 1913, 4,440 tons of antimony ore was imported from China, and 205 tons from Turkey. Foreign control of French deposits is limited to a few companies. An Italian company, Minière Fonderie d’Antimonio, owns concessions in France and Corsica, from which the production before the war was about 3,500 tons of ore per year. The great Belgian smelting company, Société de la Vieille Montagne, owns the most productive Algerian deposit--the Hamman N’ Bails mine; and an unimportant Algerian mine was, prior to the war, owned by Beer, Sondheimer & Co., a German firm.

In 1913, France produced 20,872 metric tons of ore carrying about 32 per cent. metal content. The smelter output in 1913 was 6,390 tons of regulus and oxide. France is normally an exporter of metallic antimony, the average annual exports during the period of 1910-1914 amounting to about 2,000 metric tons. The principal purchasers were United States, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Russia. According to recent information, the surplus production of antimony in France is now so large that the industry can hardly continue to exist on a paying basis unless the producers come to an understanding among themselves. It is clear, however, that to be effective, any agreement among French producers must be either backed by a high protective tariff or must be extended to include their principal foreign competitors.

_Germany._--In Germany the antimony output is too small to affect appreciably the world’s market, but a few localities have possibilities of production when the price of antimony is sufficiently high. One plant in the Eifel district in 1915 was producing 25 to 30 tons of regulus and 60 to 70 tons of oxide a month. There was, however, a production of antimonial lead from the smelters that may amount to 1,000 tons or more of antimony a year. This is derived in part from German ores, especially the lead-zinc ores, and in part from ores of foreign origin.

Germany’s interest in the antimony market is chiefly that of the smelter and middle man. Average annual imports, 1910-1913, were as follows: Ore, 3,668 tons; metal, 3,398; salts, 668. The exports averaged, ore, 566 tons; metal, 331; salts, 1,226. The principal purchasers of metal were the United States and Russia; and of salts Russia and England.

German interest in foreign deposits was not extensive. The Metallgesellschaft seems to have had some connection with an Italian company, the Minière Fonderie d’Antimonio, owning mines in Italy and France, and Beer, Sondheimer & Co. was recorded as the owner of one Algerian mine.

_Great Britain._--Although deposits were formerly worked in Cornwall, Devon, and elsewhere, no antimony has been mined in England since 1892, but before the war England was the chief smelting center of the world, and several brands of British antimony, such as Cookson’s and Hallett’s, had a world-wide reputation. Deposits of considerable importance exist in many of the British possessions.

Cookson & Co., of Newcastle, control mines in the Catorce district, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and operate a smelter, the output from which was shipped to England for further refining until 1915, when the supply was in large part diverted to the United States.

England, through her smelting interests, has played an important part in the antimony trade of the world. Seven smelters in England refine ore and crude metals that come chiefly from China, but also from Mexico, Australia, and Hungary, and, during the war, in large quantities from Bolivia and Spain. The better British brands have been considered more pure than other grades, and before the war virtually monopolized American markets.

British trading interests have exerted important control both in securing raw material for British smelters and in obtaining markets for British metal. Until 1914 the Chinese Eastern Antimony Co., a subsidiary of Cookson & Co., held contracts for the production of the Wah Chang Mining & Smelting Co., the most important antimony producers in China. In 1914, the Wah Chang Co. established an independent selling agency in the United States. During the great demand for antimony in 1915 and 1916, British interests secured the greater proportion of the output of Bolivian mines and completely controlled the industry of that country.

_Italy._--Italy is the third important antimony producer of Europe. The principal deposits are those in the southern part of the island of Sardinia. During the war, however, the Tuscan deposits were reopened and there has been also a small production from Sicily. The grade of the ore is low, probably on the average less than 25 per cent., and the production, which was 7,609 tons of ore in 1900, had fallen in 1913 to 1,822 tons. War conditions stimulated the industry, and in 1915, 1916, and 1917 the production averaged over 5,000 tons annually, although the imports of metallic antimony also increased, being as follows: 191 tons in 1914; 825 in 1915; 155 in 1916; and 1,247 in 1917.

The low metallic content of the ore, together with the fact that in the Sardinia deposits the calcite gangue makes recovery more difficult, renders it probable that under peace-time conditions and prices, Italy will not become an important factor in the world’s antimony production.

The chief producing company, Minière Fonderie d’Antimonio, was, prior to the war, closely connected with the German Metallgesellschaft, and the richest Sardinian ore went to Germany for smelting. Besides mines in Italy, this company owned several productive deposits in France.

_Portugal._--A small amount of antimony ore, 100 tons in 1912 and 19 tons in 1913, is produced in Portugal. Exports in 1916 exceeded 4,000 tons.

_Russia._--Antimony and argentiferous lead-antimony deposits are known in the Urals and were under development in 1912. Antimony deposits also occur in the Amur province and in many localities in Siberia. In 1915, 67 tons of regulus was imported into England from Russia. Possibly, however, this represents an overland shipment of Chinese material.

_Serbia._--Serbia contains several antimony deposits of considerable promise. The production, however, has been small. No data are available since 1912. The output of regulus and oxide, which amounted to 4,725 metric tons in 1904, had decreased to 297 metric tons in 1912. The greater part of the product was formerly shipped to the United States. Plants at two of the mines are capable of a considerable output should conditions warrant it. It seems unlikely, however, that the Serbian deposits will play an important part in determining the control of the world’s production.

_Spain._--Antimony deposits are known in many localities in Spain. Most of these are irregular and have been repeatedly worked and abandoned. A few, however, offer some promise of a continued output. The annual production has scarcely exceeded 500 metric tons of ore, even under the stimulus of war conditions (516 tons in 1916, and 502 tons in 1917). The smelter production in 1916 was 425 tons. Shortly after the outbreak of the war there were three smelters, the most important being operated by the French company, La Lucette.

Before the war Spain imported annually 800 tons of antimony ore from France, and over 100 tons of salts of antimony was exported annually to Germany.

Asia.

_Borneo._--British Borneo was formerly a producer of considerable importance, and much ore was exported between 1859 and 1894, mainly to England. The deposits then remained idle until 1914, when 870 tons of ore was exported; in 1915 the exports amounted to about 360 tons. It is probable that no important output at peace-time prices is to be expected, although the country is largely unexplored. The Borneo company (British) seems to have been the principal if not the only producer.

_China._--With all her vast mineral resources China has been able to obtain an important position in the world’s markets with regard to but few metals. Of these antimony is the most striking example, for since 1908 over 50 per cent. of the world’s total antimony production has come from China. In 1913 the output was estimated to be the equivalent of 10,800 tons of metallic antimony, that of the whole world being about 20,000 tons. The Chinese industry being well-established, it was able to respond rapidly to the great demand of the war. Exports increased from 14,361 short tons of regulus and crude antimony, and 4,795 tons of ore, in 1913, to 38,142 tons and 8,667 tons, respectively, in 1917.

Antimony is found over widely scattered areas in the central and southern provinces, but chiefly in the provinces of Hunan, Yunnan, Kweichow and Kwangsi. In Hunan the deposits have been most extensively exploited, probably 90 per cent. of the total production of China coming from the region about Changsha, the center of the smelting industry. Here, in the Hai-Keng-Shan district, in 1915 about 70 companies mined antimony along the outcrop of the deposits. The ore, remarkable for its purity, occurs as pockets and bunches, mainly of stibnite, in a flat bed of dolomitic limestone. Several local smelters produce liquated sulphide, and the output of the district is about 1,000 tons monthly of crude antimony averaging about 70 per cent. metallic antimony. All regulus manufacture is controlled by the Wah Chang Co. In the Panshi district the ore occurs as fissure veins in slates, shales, and quartzites. The output consists of about 400 tons monthly of 30 per cent. ore, all of which is shipped to Wah Chang Co. at Changsha for treatment.

The only district in Yunnan where antimony is dealt with commercially is near Chihtsun on the Tongking-Yunnan Railroad. The Pao Hua Co., connected with the Wah Chang Co., owns a French-constructed plant and produces high-grade regulus.

The Wah Chang Mining & Smelting Co. virtually controls the production of antimony ore, regulus, and crude in the Province of Hunan. This company operates smelters in Changsha and owns low-grade mines. It possesses a complete monopoly, granted by the Peking government, for the manufacture of regulus in Hunan and owns the patent rights in China for the Herrenschmidt furnace, the most successful means of reducing low-grade antimony ores. The mines themselves are mostly native-owned, and worked in a small way.

Prior to the war, exports of Chinese antimony were chiefly in the hands of English, French, and a few German firms. The New Chinese Antimony Co. (also known as the Chinese Eastern Antimony Co.) a subsidiary of Cookson & Co., of England, held a contract for the entire output of the Wah Chang Co. This contract was broken shortly after the war began, although the Wah Chang Co. paid a percentage on all sales to the New Chinese Antimony Co. for a year thereafter. The Wah Chang Trading Co. was organized as a direct selling agency in New York, and has established a large business in this country.

With present high scale of wages for labor, and prices for material, it is difficult to see how this country can compete with China in the production of antimony. Adverse exchange conditions due to the high price of silver have probably nearly doubled the cost of production in China and wages in that country have advanced. In spite of this, however, China can manufacture antimony far more cheaply than is possible in Europe or America; and probably, also, more cheaply than in Japan.

Chinese antimony suffered from lack of advertising before the war, being largely excluded from this country by the British metal, but has now become firmly established in our markets, and its quality has proved equal to the best English grades.

_India._--Since the war, small amounts of antimony have been produced in Burma and Mysore. The total Indian ore production was 1,040 tons in 1916 and 130 tons in 1917. The most productive region was the Amherst district of Burma. Here the ore reserves are said to be considerable, but the inaccessibility of the district has made production impossible except at high prices. The production from Mysore was only 26 tons in 1916.

_Indo-China._--There are productive deposits of possible future importance in French Indo-China. In 1916 these produced 1,437 tons of antimony ore with a metal content of 642 tons. Smelters were operated by the firm of Schön & Rhay, and both native and Chinese ore was treated. In 1914 and 1915, 883 and 630 tons of antimony ore were exported to France.

_Japan._--Very little antimony ore has been produced in Japan since the development of the Chinese deposits, although, as in most other countries, there was a renewed development during the war. The smelting of Chinese ores in Japan has become extremely important; and the smelter production, which was only 32 tons in 1914, rose to 8,189 tons in 1915, and to 10,633 tons in 1916. It was 6,562 tons in 1917. The production of metal and crude from domestic ores was only 186 tons in 1915 and 286 tons in 1916. It is probable that as long as cheap ore is available in China little production from Japanese deposits is to be expected.

Japanese ownership in Chinese mines is probably small, as practically all Chinese antimony bought by Japan has been purchased in the open market in the form of crude and ore. Since 1914 Japan has played an important part in the smelting of Chinese ore and matte, and in this regard has ranked second only to China. Prior to that time, however, production was insignificant. China is now in a position to supply direct the major part of the world’s requirement of metal, having largely extended her facilities for treating antimony ores, and it is doubtful whether Japanese smelters will long be able to compete successfully.

_Turkey._--The antimony production of the Turkish Empire comes from Eastern Asia Minor in the vilayets of Brussa and Smyrna. The productive district of Allchar, formerly in European Turkey, passed to Serbia after the last Balkan War. The deposits seem to be rich and capable of greater development. Bad government, lack of transportation facilities, and excessive export duties seem to have retarded production. Some mines were the property of the Sultan, and development was hindered by excessive royalties. Most of the mines seem to be owned or leased by Greeks. Deposits of antimony ores associated with argentiferous lead ores are reported in the vicinity of Karahissar, in Armenia. In 1914 the concession for these was held by the Asia Minor Mining Co., presumably a British corporation. Undeveloped deposits of possible importance occur in the islands of Mytelene and Chios, now in Greek ownership.

Little information is available as regards production. In 1911 the Djinli Kaya mine produced 1,500 tons of 50 per cent. ore. The 1912 production of Asia Minor is reported as 677 tons of ore. Exports of antimony ore from Turkey to Great Britain were as follows: 1910, 303 (metric) tons; 1911, 773 tons; 1912, 1,108 tons; and in 1913, 408 tons. Some ore was also shipped to Austria, and, in 1913, 205 tons went to France. It seems probable that, given good government and improved transportation facilities, an increased production could be obtained from the region even at peace-time prices, for according to the best available information the deposits are large and much of the ore is high grade.

Africa.

_Algiers._--The Algerian deposits are probably capable of considerable development, as is shown by the response to the increased demand in 1915 and 1916. The ores are nearly all oxidized and contain various rare antimony minerals. Prior to the war the chief production consisted of antimonate of iron, mined together with lead and zinc ores at Hamman N’ Bails. During the war large deposits of oxides were developed and were supplying antimony at the rate of 300 tons per month during the early part of 1918. In 1912, there was produced 4,661 tons of ore; in 1913, 582 tons; in 1914, 1,100 tons; in 1915, 9,022 tons, and in 1916, 28,473 tons. Apparently the ore produced carries around 40 per cent. antimony (metallic content).

The mine of Hamman N’ Bails is owned by the great Belgian smelting company, the Société de la Vieille Montagne; and the La Lucette company (French) owns the productive Ain Kerma oxide deposits. Prior to the war, the German firm of Beer, Sondheimer & Co. was listed as the owner of one of the less important mines.

_British South Africa._--Several antimony deposits are known in British South Africa, seemingly the most promising being those of the Murchison Range in the northern Transvaal. Here auriferous stibnite occurs as veins and replacements in limestone over a considerable area. The ore as mined carries 3 to 6 dwt. gold and 7 to 10 per cent. antimony. Sales and shipments of concentrated and crude antimony were as follows: 1913, 48 tons; 1914, nothing; 1915, 91 tons; 1916, 722 tons; and 1917, 617 tons.

The principal mine of the range, the United Jack, was purchased in 1917 by the La Lucette company (French). In 1916 there were four producing mines in the district. The antimony deposits of the Steynsdorp district, near the Swaziland border, were under development in 1916, and antimony deposits are known in the Forbes Reef district in Swaziland. Antimony ores are found over a considerable part of southern Rhodesia, and this district would probably be capable of a considerable output with better transportation facilities and continued high prices. Ore production in 1916 and 1917 was 38 and 15 tons. Some of the mines, such as the Hope Fountain, near Bulawayo, are chiefly gold producers, antimony being a by-product.

=Australia.=--The only antimony-producing district of any importance in Australia is the Costerfield district of Victoria. Here stibnite and antimony oxides occur in quartz veins cutting Ordovician slates. The antimony concentrates, which average about 48 per cent. antimony, and also contain about 2¹⁄₂ ounces of gold per ton, are shipped to England. The annual production is rather regularly 2,500 to 3,000 tons of concentrates.

TABLE 32.--WORLD’S PRODUCTION OF ANTIMONY (1912-1917)

Approximate recoverable metal content of ore produced, metric tons; antimonial lead ores not included

-----------------+------+----------+----------+----------+
| | | | |
| | | | |
| 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 |
-----------------+------+----------+----------+----------+
United States | 0| 0 | 0 | 1,760 |
Canada | 0| 0 | 0 | 420 |
Mexico | 3,500| 2,340 | 1,570 | 200[91]|
| | | | |
Bolivia | 40| 30 | 70 | 7,170 |
Peru | 0| 0 | 0 | 260 |
| | | | |
Austria-Hungary | 1,350| 840 | [92]| [92]|
Germany | 0| 0 | [92]| 700 |
| | | | [91]|
France | 2,290| 5,170 | [92]| [92]|
Italy | 310| 360 | 110 | 720 |
Spain | 170| 0 | 0 | 100 |
Portugal | 40| 10 | [92]| [92]|
| | | | |
Serbia | 300| 250[91]| [92]| [92]|
| | | | |
Algiers | 940| 180 | 320 | 2,740 |
British S. Africa| 0| 30 | 0 | 50 |
| | | | |
China |10,800|11,000 |15,900 |10,500 |
Japan | 70| 20 | 30 | 180 |
India | 0| 0 | 0 | 0 |
Indo-China | 110| 0 | 0 | 160 |
Borneo | 0| 0 | 300 | 120 |
Asia Minor | 270| 240 | [92]| [92]|
| | | | |
Victoria | 580| 960 | 890 | 1,300 |
New South Wales | 30| 10 | 20 | 320 |
Queensland | 0| 0 | 0 | 80 |
West Australia | 0| 0 | 0 | 0 |
+------+----------+----------+----------+
Total |20,800|21,440 |24,400[93]|35,400[93]|
-----------------+------+----------+----------+----------+

-----------------+----------+----------+-----------------------------
| | |Principal
| | |financial
| 1916 | 1917 |control
-----------------+----------+----------+-----------------------------
United States | 1,420 | 310 |United States
Canada | 300 | 120 |Great Britain
Mexico | 450[91]| 2,730 |Great Britain and United
| | |States
Bolivia | 9,100 | 7,340 |Great Britain
Peru | 930 | 450 |Peru
| | |
Austria-Hungary | [92]| [92]|Hungary
Germany | [92]| [92]|Germany
| | |
France | [92]| [92]|France
Italy | 1,080 | 960 |Italy
Spain | 170 | 160 |France
Portugal | 1,000 | [92]|?
| [91]| |
Serbia | [92]| [92]|?
| | |
Algiers | 8,940 | [92]|France
British S. Africa| 380 | 300 |Great Britain and France
| | |
China |42,800 |31,000 |China (Japan), Great Britain?
Japan | 280 | [92]|Japan
India | 400 | 50 |Great Britain
Indo-China | 510 | [92]|Great Britain
Borneo | [92]| [92]|Great Britain
Asia Minor | [92]| [92]|Turkey (Greece)
| | |
Victoria | 1,320 | [92]|Great Britain
New South Wales | 310 | 150 |Great Britain
Queensland | 80 | [92]|Great Britain
West Australia | 20 | 10 |Great Britain
+----------+----------+-----------------------------
Total |78,700[93]|54,300[93]|
-----------------+----------+----------+-----------------------------

[91] Incomplete data; actual production probably larger.

[92] No data.

[93] Totals for years 1914-1917 include estimates of production of
countries from which data are lacking.

The Hillgrove district, in New South Wales, was formerly of considerable importance, the highest annual output being 2,450 tons of ore in 1906. Recent production has been slight, and although a very large increase took place with the stimulus of war prices, the 1917 production was valued at only about 5 per cent. of that of Victoria. Insignificant amounts of antimony ore have recently been produced in Queensland and Western Australia. New Zealand yielded a small amount during the boom of 1906 and 1907, but no production is recorded since 1910.

Imports of antimony ore into Great Britain from Australia in 1915 amounted to 3,854 tons.

Statistics of production (1912-1917) are given in the table preceding.

POSITION OF THE LEADING COMMERCIAL NATIONS

=The United States.=--The United States is the largest consumer of antimony in the world, requiring under normal conditions between 7,000 and 8,000 tons of new metal, most of which, before the war, came from England. The consumption during the war was about double this amount, and was derived chiefly from the Orient, South America, and Mexico. The United States must remain dependent upon foreign sources for its supply, unless a much higher tariff is placed upon imports. Even under such conditions it is doubtful whether domestic mines would prove adequate to supply more than a small part of the country’s needs.

Chinese and Japanese antimony has largely replaced the British product since 1914 and has become so well established that it will probably continue to hold American markets. Chinese antimony in particular has shown itself equal in every way to the best British grades. With a somewhat higher level of prices the importation of ore from Mexico and South America may be undertaken by reducing plants in this country, as the experience gained by several companies during the war has made possible the production of high-grade metal.

=England.=--No figures as to the actual consumption of antimony in England are available. Judged from a balance of imports and exports, the normal consumption is about 4,500 tons annually. During the war consumption was enormously increased for the manufacture of munitions. English smelters are entirely dependent on foreign ores, most of which in the past have come from China, with smaller amounts from Mexico and Australia. The position of the industry, at least in so far as export trade is concerned, is threatened by the strong position of the Chinese industry acquired during the war, as represented particularly by the activities of the Wah Chang Mining & Smelting Co. Two-thirds of the English antimony exports went to the United States before 1914. It does not seem probable that England will be able to fully recover this market, now dominated completely by Chinese and Japanese antimony.

=France.=--France is the only world power that possesses important resources of antimony within her boundaries. Including her Algerian mines, she is entirely independent of outside supply. Inasmuch as certain of the French deposits contain important amounts of gold, and the principal Algerian mine contains lead and zinc, the production of antimony in France will probably continue to be of some importance, and it is probable that she will continue to export antimony as before the war, though probably to a less extent.

=Germany.=--Germany, prior to 1914, consumed about 20 per cent. of the world’s annual output of antimony. Her own resources of antimony are insignificant, and German interests in foreign deposits have not been widely extended but were rather those of smelter and middleman, raw material being drawn chiefly from China, and metal and salts being exported to the United States, Russia and Great Britain. During the war Germany drew largely upon Hungary for antimony supply, but it is known that this source could not adequately meet the demand.

=Japan.=--Japan’s actual consumption of antimony has never been large and before the war was confined largely to the production of “white metal” boxes, trays, and other articles. During the war her importance in the antimony trade rested upon her ability to supply a large part of the needs of the Allies, principally Russia, and later the United States and Canada. How long after the war she will be able to retain her position is uncertain. Favorable freight rates to Japanese shippers, and the fact that the present high price of silver and the consequent exchange conditions affect adversely Chinese production may enable Japan to continue a factor in the antimony trade.

RECENT CONDITIONS IN THE INDUSTRY

Owing to the very high prices prevailing for antimony during 1915 and 1916, caused by a greatly increased demand for antimony for the manufacture of munitions, several countries became large producers. The most important among these were Bolivia, Mexico, and Algeria, but Victoria and the United States, Peru, Burma, and Spain all contributed substantial amounts. With the possible exception of Algeria--whose principal mines yield considerable lead and zinc and are situated near to French reduction plants--and of Mexico, none of these countries will be important factors in the production of antimony at the usual low prices prevailing for that metal.

The sudden ending of the war found the belligerents with large stocks of antimony on hand, the English holding, according to figures published by the British Ministry of Munitions on March 1, 1919, 4,325 long tons of regulus. There is reason to believe that the other Allies had stocks of the same order of magnitude, and if so there must have been about a year’s supply available on April 1, 1919, as the 1913 consumption of antimony amounted to only about 20,000 tons. In addition there were large supplies of alloys and antimonial lead available and more will undoubtedly be obtained by salvage operations. It may be expected, therefore, that until these are absorbed the production of antimony will be even less than that of pre-war years. At present there is little inducement for mining. Costs of mining have increased everywhere. China, the largest producer, faces a particularly difficult situation, for the higher price of silver has resulted in doubling costs of labor and local supplies. If silver prices remain high after the demand for primary antimony has recovered, the other antimony-producing countries, not on a silver basis, will have a corresponding advantage over China in the matter of production.

SUMMARY

The peace-time consumption of antimony is limited rather by the relatively restricted uses to which antimony is put than by any lack of potential supply. As a consequence, steady production has been maintained only from those districts in which working expenses are low and markets readily available, or in which the deposits contain other metals of value. Modern warfare, however, creates a special use for antimony--in the manufacture of shrapnel--which requires many times the amount of antimony necessary for ordinary peace uses. In the case of each of the three important wars of the last twenty years, the Boer War, the Russo-Japanese War and the Great War, the curves of antimony prices and production have risen sharply in accordance with the demand, and have fallen as rapidly after the need for munitions was past.

China has for long been the most important source of antimony and will doubtless retain that position for many years. Steady though less important production has been maintained in France, Austria-Hungary and Mexico, while several other countries produced important amounts as a result of the largely increased demands of the war. Chief among these were Bolivia, Algeria, and Australia.

England dominated the antimony market prior to 1914 through her large smelting interest, trade agreements in the Orient, and selling agencies in America--the principal consuming country. Since that time, however, Chinese interests have become independent, and Japan has become of importance in the antimony smelting and trading field.

The United States possesses limited antimony resources which can be exploited only at very high prices, and is dependent almost entirely upon outside sources of supply. In the past this supply has been drawn largely from England, but more recently from the Orient and Mexico.

Germany has insignificant antimony resources of her own, and depended for her supply during the war upon the Hungarian deposits, which were apparently inadequate to meet the demands. Her interests prior to the war were chiefly those of the smelter and middleman, and did not extend very largely to foreign deposits.

The United States, France, Germany and Great Britain normally consume 85 per cent. of the antimony of the world, and of these France alone is independent of foreign sources of supply.

The antimony trade of the world is largely controlled by a few companies, of which the most important are: Cookson’s (British), Wah Chang Co. (Chinese), and Société de La Lucette (French). The Mitsui Co. (Japanese), largely through shipping interests, has a considerable share in the Chinese and Japanese antimony trade.