Stibnite/Antimony

Antimony (Sb) ore is primarily extracted from stibnite, and it typically occurs in association with gold.

Siren Gold has seen high-grade gold and stibnite mineralisation throughout tenements due to its position on the Lachlan Fold Belt, the same orogenic belt as Costerfield, Australia. Costerfield mine hosts the largest producer of Stibnite in Australia.

High-grade gold remains the primary economic driver and focal point of Siren’s prospects, with Stibnite/Antimony providing an additional bonus to the company due to its increasing criticality and demand in the global market.

Global Supply & Value

China, Russia & Tajikistan currently supply 90% of the world’s antimony. Due to the concentration of supply in countries that have the potential to disrupt supply chains, western countries are looking to secure their critical mineral supplies domestically.

Antimony is amongst few critical minerals which is listed on all major economies’ critical mineral lists.

The global market for antimony is predicted to grow to USD$2.2 billion by the end of 2035 (https://www.researchnester.com/reports/antimony-market/4171).

Constrained supply chains have seen the antimony price increase from US$5,000 per tonne (2006) to US$14,000 per tonne (2022) (Graph: Nagambie Resources ASX announcement: 16 November 2022).

Uses

Liquid Metal Batteries

The latest new technology utilizing antimony is Molten Salt Batteries (Liquid Metal Batteries). These batteries will be used for large scale renewable energy storage, with antimony as a primary mineral required for these batteries. 

Ambri, a liquid metal battery company recently raised $144 million for the development of a domestic manufacturing facility with Bill Gates as a primary investor. In addition to this raise, Perpetua Resources & Ambri announced in 2021, that they would enter into an agreement to supply antimony for the production of liquid metal batteries.

Renewable Energy

Antimony is a critical material in Lithium-Ion batteries, Solar Panels & Wind Turbines due to its flame retardant & anti-corrosion properties. Global demand for renewable energy technologies is predicted to surge over the next decade due to an increasing number of countries adopting carbon neutrality.

Flame Retardant

Historically, antimony has been used for its heat retardant and protective properties within defence sectors. Due to these properties, it has been highlighted as a strategic mineral and has become a priority mineral to secure domestic supply for the west.

The US Department of Defence has listed antimony as a strategic and critical mineral, with grant opportunities provided to stibnite companies.

Stibnite & Siren

Siren Gold continues to explore for high-grade gold as the priority mineral with the aim of re-opening the Reefton Goldfield and consolidating the Reefton belt with Lyell & Sams Creek.

Stibnite is viewed as an attractive mineral to be exploring for in addition to the current exploration program for high-grade gold. The price and demand of stibnite is expected to continue increasing across global markets and offers an added economic opportunity for Siren Gold.