A Chinese court dealt out a series of sentences and fines this week to a group of citizens found guilty of smuggling antimony ingots out of the country.
Wang Wubin, the primary culprit behind the illicit activity, was sentenced to 12 years in jail and a fine of approximately US$142,000. The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court made the reveal on its WeChat account before Reuters caught wind of the story on Dec. 16.
The court determined that he was guilty of conspiring with overseas smugglers and organizing his Chinese accomplices to purchase antimony ingots and smuggle them out of the country. This criminal activity occurred in February and March, the statement said.
A total of 166 metric tons of the commodity were involved in the smuggling case. Chinese customs were able to seize 96 tons of the metal before making the arrests.
Wubin’s 26 co-conspirators received smaller fines and less harsh prison sentences ranging from four months to five years based on their level of involvement.
The operation’s disruption by authorities marks a significant victory for Beijing’s zero-tolerance stance on critical mineral smuggling. Comparable seizures of the metalloid commodity, including one in Hong Kong earlier this year, demonstrate a coordinated level of enforcement across borders.
These rulings ultimately help reinforce China’s determination to protect its dominant stature in the industry. In an era where critical minerals have become valuable playing cards for geopolitical leverage, the verdict is a stark reminder of the Asian superpower’s iron grip on antimony.
China currently produces approximately 45 per cent of the world’s antimony supply and accounts for around 70 per cent of global refining and processing capabilities. Following strict antimony export controls implemented in late 2024 that were largely responsible for the mineral’s price skyrocketing, the country recently agreed to let a select group of companies make multiple shipments abroad.
Nonetheless, supply and national security concerns persist, particularly in the United States.
Read more: NevGold expands high-grade antimony discovery at Nevada’s Limousine Butte Project
Follow Rowan Dunne on LinkedIn
rowan@mugglehead.com
