Antimony ores and concentrates

HS code 261710 covers antimony ores and concentrates, a critical raw material in the production of various industrial and consumer goods. Antimony is a metalloid element with a wide range of applications, including in the manufacturing of lead-acid batteries, flame retardants, and semiconductor devices. As a key component in many high-tech and strategic industries, the global trade and production of antimony ores and concentrates play a significant role in the broader economy.

Antimony ores and concentrates are typically extracted through mining operations, which involve the excavation and processing of antimony-bearing mineral deposits. The primary production techniques include open-pit mining, underground mining, and various mineral processing methods, such as crushing, grinding, and flotation, to separate the antimony-rich fractions from the ore.

The main inputs required for the production of antimony ores and concentrates include mining equipment, such as excavators, trucks, and processing machinery, as well as energy sources, such as electricity or diesel fuel, to power the mining and processing operations. Additionally, the industry relies on skilled labor, including geologists, mining engineers, and plant operators, to extract and process the antimony-bearing ores.

The primary output of HS code 261710 is antimony ores and concentrates, which are then further processed and refined to produce various antimony-based products. These outputs may be consumed by industries classified under 282560 Antimony oxides and hydroxides, 810410 Unwrought antimony; antimony powders, and 854389 Other electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, among others, for use in the manufacture of batteries, flame retardants, and electronic components.