Antimony a key topic in Rubio's meeting with Tajikistan foreign minister

American Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Washington D.C. Image credit: U.S. Department of State

Mining

Antimony a key topic in Rubio’s meeting with Tajikistan foreign minister

Critical minerals cooperation for U.S. national security, more broadly

Rowan Dunne

Published

7 hours ago

As Washington scrambles to secure dependable supplies of critical minerals and rare earths essential for national defence, a diplomatic pivot toward Central Asia is signalling fresh determination to reduce reliance on adversarial powers.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio just met Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Washington D.C. The encounter, which restarted bilateral dialogue after a four-year pause, placed strong emphasis on expanding commercial ties in critical minerals. Discussions centred on antimony, a metal Tajikistan produces in significant volumes as the world’s second-largest supplier, alongside other strategic elements such as lithium, rare earths, copper and tungsten that the U.S. urgently needs.

This engagement carries notable weight. Historic American-Tajik relations have often revolved around logistics support for operations in Afghanistan rather than a deep economic partnership. Rubio announced plans to visit Tajikistan later this year as well, underscoring Washington’s commitment to building longer-term cooperation.

Limited domestic production struggles to meet demand

Only two companies currently produce antimony at scale in the United States: United States Antimony Corp (NYSE: UAMY) and Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (TSE: USA) (NYSEAMERICAN: USAS) (FRA: SZ71). Both operate facilities and mines, notably in Idaho and Montana, but their combined output falls far short of national requirements.

Developers are advancing promising near-term projects though. Perpetua Resources Corp (TSE: PPTA) (NASDAQ: PPTA) pushes its Stibnite Gold-Antimony project in Idaho forward with substantial federal backing, including a major EXIM loan. NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) is also making progress with its Limousine Butte operation in Nevada toward potential production around 2027.

Nonetheless, domestic efforts have not closed the gap adequately, especially after China imposed export bans on antimony to the U.S. and import disruptions intensified supply pressures.

Why antimony matters to American security

Antimony strengthens ammunition, serves as a vital component in night vision goggles, advanced sensors, infrared technology and flame retardants for military equipment. It also supports advanced electronics, semiconductors, and batteries.

Geopolitical tensions, including turmoil in the Middle East and broader supply chain vulnerabilities, heighten the strategic stakes. Without reliable access, U.S. defence manufacturing faces serious risks.

Greater trade cooperation with Tajikistan could help alleviate these supply deficit concerns. By fostering investment in Tajik mining and processing, Washington stands to diversify sources away from dominant players like China.