China Adds Metal Used in Ammo to List of Restricted Exports

(Bloomberg) — China is tightening its grip over global critical-mineral supplies by placing export controls on antimony, a metal used widely in ammunition and other military applications that’s seen a surge in prices this year.

The country will apply the restrictions to antimony and antimony-related materials from Sept. 15 in order to safeguard national security, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday. That adds to earlier controls on other critical minerals including gallium and germanium, which have set off alarm bells in Washington.