BEIJING, Dec 30 (Reuters) - China on Tuesday named the companies that will be able to export tungsten, antimony and silver during the 2026 and 2027 period, metals Beijing deems as critical to support its own industries.
A total of 44 companies will be allowed to export silver, while the numbers for tungsten and antimony will be 15 and 11 respectively, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. That's two more than in 2025 for silver, while tungsten and antimony are unchanged.
Citing national security, China in the past two years has imposed a wave of restrictions to leverage its dominance in the mining and processing of critical minerals used in everything from smartphones and electric car batteries to infrared missiles and ammunition, in response to U.S. chip restrictions and tariffs.
Beijing placed some antimony products on its export control list from September 15, 2024 and added several tungsten products to the list this February.
Prices of antimony and tungsten, used in defence, clean energy and other industries, have soared due to the tightness in overseas markets following the export restrictions.
Silver, a precious metal used in jewellery, solar and other industries, has soared to record highs, propelled by its inclusion on the U.S.' critical minerals list, supply constraints and low inventories amid rising industrial and investment demand.
Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Sharon Singleton
Source: Reuters