Australia is rapidly scaling up its role as a secure supplier of antimony, a critical mineral increasingly recognised for its importance to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence technologies, as global supply chain vulnerabilities intensify.

Traditionally dominated by China, Russia and Tajikistan, antimony supply has faced heightened geopolitical and market pressures — notably a Chinese export ban to the United States in 2026 that sent prices sharply higher and underlined the strategic fragility of Western access to the metal.

Australia’s emerging capacity to produce and refine antimony is now seen as integral to diversification efforts by allied nations seeking reliable alternatives to concentrated sources.

The Port Pirie facility in South Australia has shipped its first commercial-grade antimony metal, marking the first milestone in transforming domestic mineral resources into globally tradable product, with future expansion expected to reach several thousand tonnes annually and potentially offset previously imported volumes.

Australia’s federal government has also embedded antimony at the centre of its critical minerals strategy, designating it alongside gallium and rare earth elements within a A$1.2 billion Strategic Minerals Reserve designed to secure long-term supply rights and strengthen partnerships with key international markets.

This policy initiative aims to create strategic stockpiles and support domestic processing industries, providing a transparent and sovereign production base for materials essential in renewable energy systems, battery storage, semiconductors and defence equipment.

Additionally, investment and exploration activity across multiple states, including anticipated production from antimony-rich stibnite deposits, further solidifies Australia’s capacity to grow its share of the global market and supply chains that underpin energy transition and national security objectives.

Industry experts and government officials alike emphasise that Australia’s stable political framework, advanced geological expertise and growing downstream processing capabilities uniquely position the nation to reshape antimony supply dynamics.

The development of domestic smelting and refining infrastructure not only captures greater value onshore but also contributes to resilient and ethically governed supply chains that reduce dependence on foreign sources.

As demand for antimony continues to accelerate alongside technology and defence needs, Australia’s expanding production base and strategic policy commitments signal a shift towards greater autonomy and security in critical mineral supply chains worldwide.