Chinese antimony market participants report reduced offers, higher prices and increasing difficulty in securing material, sources told Fastmarkets.
Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for antimony MMTA standard grade II, ddp China was 59,000-60,000 yuan ($9,093-9,248) per tonne onJuly 16, up by 1,500-2,000 yuan per tonne (3.0%) from 57,500-58,000 yuan pertonne the previous week.
A shortage of ores and insufficient spot market material have prompted many antimony producers to withhold offers, sources said.
"It is difficult for participants to buy antimony unless they are willingto pay a high price. Cargo holders are very...