“It is an ideal time to be developing antimony projects.”
That’s the view of Military Metals (CSE:MILI) CEO Scott Eldridge who today highlights the US administration’s decision to exclude a key group of minerals including antimony, cobalt, nickel, indium, gallium, bismuth, and fluorspar from the sweeping reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
“This exemption is a clear signal that the US government recognises the strategic value of antimony and other critical minerals,” says Eldridge.
The executive order – issued under emergency authority to counter what the White House describes as “large and persistent” trade deficits – introduces broad-based import duties starting at 10%, with significantly higher country-specific rates.
However, Eldridge notes one section of the order draws a clear line in the sand clarifying that certain critical minerals are too essential to be imposed a tariff.
This exemption status highlights the critical nature of antimony given its importance to multiple applications including renewable energy and the defence sector.
Among the strategic materials excluded from the tariff list is antimony, a core focus of Military Metals. Antimony is an essential element used in flame retardants, semiconductors, military-grade ammunition, solar panel glass and energy storage.
Despite significant domestic demand, the US currently produces no antimony domestically, relying entirely on imports, primarily from China, Russia, Tajikistan, and other foreign sources.
Eldridge adds that the continued exemption of antimony from US tariffs underpins the urgency of securing stable, non-Chinese supply. For Military Metals Corp., it affirms its strategy of developing critical mineral assets in trusted jurisdictions.
“The exemption of these minerals from tariffs reinforces the urgent need to accelerate the development of secure, reliable supply chains,” the CEO says.
“This decision highlights the strategic importance of reducing dependence on China. It’s a clear signal that advancing domestic and allied sources is essential.”
Military Metals maintains that the most effective way to insulate North America from foreign supply shocks is to build robust, transparent, and secure domestic supply chains for minerals like antimony.
The company is a British Columbia-based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties with a focus on antimony.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Military Metals
