- Antimony producing countries are led by China, Russia and Tajikistan
- China mined 40,000 tonnes of antimony in 2025
- The top three producers supply over 85% of global output
- Bolivia and Myanmar round out the mid-tier ranks
- Reserves are concentrated in China, Russia and Bolivia
- Western nations are racing to build domestic supply
The list of antimony producing countries is dominated by three names — China, Russia and Tajikistan — which together account for more than 85% of global mine output. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, world antimony mine production totalled an estimated 110,000 metric tons in 2025, down from 119,000 tons in 2024. Supply concentration, combined with China’s export restrictions on the metal, has made antimony one of the most closely watched critical minerals in defence and industrial supply chains. See current antimony pricing for how that concentration is showing up in the market.
How We Ranked the Top 10 Antimony Producing Countries
This ranking is based on 2025 estimated mine production (antimony content, metric tons) as reported in the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, the primary international reference for mineral production statistics. Reserve figures and named mining operations are included for context but do not affect the ranking order. Where USGS labels a figure as estimated, that is noted in the entry below.
The following table summarises where each of the antimony producing countries stands on production, reserves and dominant supply source.
| Rank | Country | 2025e Mine Production (t) | % of World Total | Reserves (t) | Key Producer or Asset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 40,000 | 36.4% | 830,000 | Xikuangshan mine, Hunan |
| 2 | Russia | 32,000 | 29.1% | 350,000 | Sarylakh-Surma/Sentachan, Sakha Republic |
| 3 | Tajikistan | 22,000 | 20.0% | 60,000 | Anzob plant, Ayni District |
| 4 | Bolivia | 5,000 | 4.5% | 310,000 | US Antimony Bolivia hydrometallurgical facility |
| 5 | Myanmar (Burma) | 4,500 | 4.1% | 140,000 | Byu Mine, Kayin State |
| 6 | Turkey | 3,000 | 2.7% | 99,000 | Haliköy mine, Eti Bakır |
| 7 | Australia | 1,300 | 1.2% | 110,000* | Costerfield mine, Victoria (Alkane Resources) |
| 8 | Kazakhstan | 800 | 0.7% | NA | Diversified/byproduct sources |
| 9 | Kyrgyzstan | 700 | 0.6% | 260,000 | Kadamzhay Antimony Plant, Batken |
| 10 | Mexico | 600 | 0.5% | 18,000 | Madero smelter, Coahuila (US Antimony Corp) |
*Australia’s headline reserve figure carries a USGS footnote citing a JORC-compliant reserve of 11,000 tons — see sense-check notes.
1. China — 40,000 Tonnes (36% of World Output)
China remains the largest of the antimony producing countries by a wide margin, with USGS reserves data putting its holdings at 830,000 tons — also the world’s largest. Most Chinese output is concentrated at the Xikuangshan mine in Hunan, operated by Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star. Production has fallen steadily from around 145,000 tons in 2012 as environmental standards tightened, plateauing near current levels since 2022. In 2024, Beijing imposed export restrictions and later a full ban on antimony shipments to the United States, a move USGS links directly to the average metal price more than doubling to $25 per pound in 2025.
2. Russia — 32,000 Tonnes (29% of World Output)
Russia is the second-largest of the antimony producing countries, though USGS flagged a significant downward revision to its 2024 figure and 2025 output fell by roughly 8,000 tons year-on-year. Output is centred on the Sarylakh-Surma and Sentachan deposits in the Sakha Republic, operated by GeoProMining. Sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine restrict antimony flows to and from the country, and reports suggest some shipments have moved through intermediary markets to reach Western buyers.
3. Tajikistan — 22,000 Tonnes (20% of World Output)
Tajikistan accounted for a fifth of global supply in 2025, with mining concentrated in the Ayni District’s Dzhizhikrut and Konchoch centres, largely through the Anzob plant. The country’s position outside China’s export restrictions has drawn direct diplomatic interest: in September 2026, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor and Senator Steve Daines to discuss critical minerals investment. Talco Gold is also building a new 20,000-ton-per-year processing plant aimed at export markets.
4. Bolivia — 5,000 Tonnes, Third-Largest Reserves
Bolivia’s mine output is modest, but its 310,000-ton reserve base is the third-largest among antimony producing countries. United States Antimony Corp announced in January 2026 that it had expanded a hydrometallurgical processing facility in Bolivia fifteenfold, feeding concentrate to its Thompson Falls smelter in Montana — part of a broader push by Western buyers to diversify away from Chinese-controlled supply.
5. Myanmar (Burma) — 4,500 Tonnes
Myanmar’s output has held steady in the 4,000–4,500 ton range since 2021 despite ongoing civil conflict. Primary production comes from the Byu Mine in Kayin State, operated by Tha Byu Mining. USGS reports the country’s reserves at 140,000 tons; because the U.S. government’s own data uses “Burma” rather than “Myanmar,” cross-referencing USGS releases requires searching under that name.
6. Turkey — 3,000 Tonnes
Turkish output is split between the Haliköy mine, operated by Eti Bakır, which produces roughly 1,100 tons of concentrate annually, and Lepoteknik’s processing operations in the Kütahya and Balıkesir provinces, which convert concentrate into ingots and trisulfides. That downstream capacity lets Turkey supply refined antimony products to Western buyers who lack their own processing infrastructure — a notable position among antimony producing countries that mostly export raw ore.
7. Australia — 1,300 Tonnes
Australian output is centred on the Costerfield gold-antimony mine in Victoria, run by Alkane Resources following its 2025 merger with Mandalay Resources. In January 2026, the Australian government announced an AU$1.2 billion investment to build a critical minerals reserve, part of a wider allied push to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains.
8. Kazakhstan — 800 Tonnes
Kazakhstan’s antimony output is comparatively small and diffuse, without a single dominant named mine; USGS notes its 2024 figure was also subject to significant revision. Junior explorer Qaz Aurum is advancing early-stage antimony, copper and gold projects and seeking investors, signalling potential future supply growth rather than current scale.
9. Kyrgyzstan — 700 Tonnes
Kyrgyzstan’s antimony history runs through the Kadamzhay Antimony Plant in Batken, a Soviet-era facility that once had capacity for up to 20,000 tons a year but has operated well below that since independence. In August 2025, Russian company Voyager took an interest in leasing and upgrading the plant, aiming to relaunch fuller operations.
10. Mexico — 600 Tonnes
Mexican antimony is produced largely as a byproduct of silver, lead and copper mining rather than from dedicated antimony operations. United States Antimony Corp holds processing assets in the country, including the Madero smelter in Coahuila — slated for a restart with capital upgrades — and the Puerto Blanco flotation mill in Guanajuato, though these are processing assets rather than the source of Mexico’s mine-production tonnage.
The Outlook for Antimony Producing Countries in 2026
China’s grip on both mining and — more importantly — smelting capacity means the ranking of antimony producing countries is unlikely to shift dramatically in the near term, even as Western buyers push hard to diversify. Watch Tajikistan and Bolivia for the clearest near-term supply gains given active U.S. and allied investment interest, and Kyrgyzstan’s Kadamzhay plant as a wildcard if Voyager’s relaunch proceeds. Idaho and Montana mine restarts will matter more for reducing U.S. import reliance — currently 91% — than for reshaping the global top ten, since USGS continues to withhold current U.S. mine-production figures. For sourcing and supply-chain context, see our antimony explainer and the top antimony producing companies ranking.
Data source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries. Industry reference: Minor Metals Trade Association.
Which country produces the most antimony?
China is the largest of the antimony producing countries, accounting for over a third of global mine output. See the table above for the full country-by-country breakdown.
What criteria determines the ranking?
Countries are ranked by annual mine production of antimony content, as reported in USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries. Reserve size and processing capacity are noted in each entry but don’t affect the ranking order.
Why does China’s position matter beyond mining volume?
China’s influence over antimony producing countries extends past mine output — it also controls most global smelting and refining capacity. Export restrictions from a producer that also dominates processing can disrupt supply even for buyers sourcing ore elsewhere.
Why is Tajikistan attracting Western investment interest?
Tajikistan sits outside China’s and Russia’s export restrictions and holds a substantial reserve base. That combination has drawn direct government and investor interest from countries looking to diversify antimony supply chains.
Could this ranking change in the coming years?
Yes. Mine restarts in North America, processing upgrades in Central Asia, and shifts in export policy among top producers could all move relative output. The table above reflects the current USGS dataset and will be updated as new figures are released.
