China Antimony Exporters Show Strong Selling Stances

Antimony international price seems to exceed US$ 5,500 per tonne and hit record, which was US$ 5,300-5,400 for 99.65% purity ingot at European market on Thursday. China Minmetals, Chinese largest antimony exporter, currently shows strong selling stance against Japanese major antimony users to offer export volume cut and higher prices.Japanese antimony user source said China Minmetals official showed intention to cut antimony export volume against the user by 30% after Chinese New Year Holidays. Chinese government announced in autumn 2006 the country reduces the antimony export volume by 3% in 2007 from 2006. It is not certain whether Minmetals decreases its antimony export remarkably. Japanese dealer source suggested Minmetals aims to raise the price on strong selling stance. However, other Chinese antimony exporter recently offered Japanese user even US$ 5,800 per tonne for high grade product.