HONG KONG (April 8): Hong Kong customs authorities last month seized a cargo of what they believe to be antimony ingots — one of several strategic minerals that China restricted exports of last year.

Antimony is used as a flame retardant and in semiconductors and solar power equipment. It is also used in military applications such as ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles.

The 25,171.85kg shipment was found on March 13 inside an outbound container at the city's cargo compound in the north of Hong Kong, near the mainland border, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said in an April 2 statement.

It was not clear where the shipment originated from or why it was seized. The ordinance under which it was seized can apply to the export of controlled items without a licence.

Hong Kong Customs did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

China produced almost half of the global supply of antimony in 2023 and prices have soared in the wake of its heavy export restrictions, which include a ban on exports to the US in December amid an escalating trade and tech war with the world's biggest economy.

About 3.9 million kg of wrought and unwrought antimony were exported from China last year, however shipments have all but stopped since September. The only export since then was a 20,000kg cargo to Japan in January, according to Chinese customs data.

Reuters reported last month China had exported no antimony to European Union countries since the controls. Prices there have surged by about 47% to US$55,000-US$62,000 (RM245,945-RM277,247) per tonne between December and March.

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