SHANGHAI, Aug 15 (SMM) –
Based on SMM's research and statistics, the production of antimony ingots in China for July 2023 — which encompasses antimony ingots, crude antimony equivalents, and cathode antimony — amounted to 8,038 mt. This represents a month-on-month increase of 5.35%. Customs data reveals that from January through June of this year, the import volume of other forms of antimony ore and their concentrates touched 21,145 mt. This figure is markedly higher than the 13,442 mt seen during the corresponding period last year. If this momentum persists, the annual import volume of antimony ore could revert to around 40,000 mt. Numerous market observers anticipate that if this trend sustains, the provision of imported antimony raw materials might return to a more relaxed state. Currently, many market insiders have noted an increase in suppliers’ eagerness to dispatch their stocks, indicating a robust inclination towards selling on the part of suppliers.
Assessing the production trends from July, it is evident that many manufacturers have progressively ramped up their operations, returning to normal or resuming production. However, there have also been sporadic instances where some manufacturers have had to cease or scale down their production. To provide more detail, amongst the 33 manufacturers that SMM investigated, 11 have paused their production - an uptick of one from the previous month. Additionally, 13 manufacturers have reported a contraction in output, which is one less compared to the previous month. On the other hand, the production levels of 9 manufacturers have remained stable, mirroring last month's figures. SMM projects that in August 2023, as mineral resources increase, the national production of antimony ingots is likely to sustain its current level, particularly amongst the larger manufacturers. An uptick in production is likely.
