The increase in demand for antimony is driven by the development of high technologies, where it is used for the creation of solar panels, as well as in the defense industry, for example, for armored vehicles. Currently, China is the largest producer of antimony; however, Tajikistan, in partnership with Chinese companies such as Talco Gold, ranks second in the world in terms of production volumes. Antimony in Tajikistan is extracted both through open-pit and underground methods, shares Murad Jumazoda, Deputy Director of Talco Gold.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China controls about 48% of the world's antimony production, which amounts to approximately 40,000 tons. Tajikistan produces about 25% of the total volume, having released 21,000 tons in 2023.
Last year, China restricted antimony exports to the U.S., which drew the attention of Washington and Brussels to Tajikistan. Currently, about 54% of the antimony imported into the European Union comes from Tajikistan. The deepening cooperation between Dushanbe and Beijing raises concerns among European and American experts, as antimony has been included in the list of strategic materials of the EU since 2023. As a result of the restrictions imposed by Beijing, antimony prices have nearly tripled.
It is expected that the rise in global prices for rare earth metals will positively impact Tajikistan's mining industry. Talco Gold plans to launch a full-cycle plant for the processing and production of antimony within the republic.
