Alaska is set to become a potential source of antimony, a key component in modern weapons and energy infrastructure, as the US Department of Defense seeks to diversify its mineral supplies amid rising tensions with China.
Australian companies Felix Gold and Nova Minerals aim to open small-scale antimony mines in Alaska within the next few years. The projects, which are largely focused on gold mining, would target antimony deposits found near existing gold reserves.
The move comes as China’s new export limits for antimony could lead to a significant squeeze on the US military, with nearly two-thirds of the country’s antimony supply coming from the Asian nation between 2019 and 2022.
Alaska has historically been a major producer of antimony, particularly during World War II. The state’s largest known antimony reserve is at the historic Scrafford Mine near Fairbanks. However, modern-day mining operations in Alaska are often more costly due to remote locations and limited infrastructure.
Felix Gold aims to start antimony production by the end of 2025, with a smaller-scale operation that could be possible due to historical data from a dormant mine. Nova Minerals’ project, on the other hand, would involve an antimony mine with lower initial startup costs and faster production timelines.
While the companies are pitching stand-alone antimony mines separate from gold mining operations, concerns have been raised about potential environmental impacts and conflicts of interest. Local opposition has also been expressed over the proximity of proposed mines to residential areas.
The US Department of Defense’s support for these projects could potentially lead to larger-scale mining operations in Alaska, sparking concerns among environmental groups like the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. The group’s executive, Katie McClellan, warned that antimony production could be a “foot in the door” for larger gold mining operations.
As tensions between the US and China over strategic minerals continue to escalate, Alaska is poised to play a key role in meeting America’s growing demand for antimony.
Source: https://www.ktoo.org/2024/11/19/america-needs-antimony-for-weapons-and-solar-panels-the-mining-industry-is-looking-to-alaska