US Wants Pakistan to Replace China in Missile Supply Chain

Defence affairs - financial times 

Pakistan is emerging as an unexpected player on the United States’ radar for the critical mineral antimony, which is used in missiles, batteries and flame retardants, reported Financial Times.

US buyers look to cut their dependence on China-dominated supply chains. Prices of antimony trioxide have surged to around $40,000 per ton, sharply higher than about $26,000 in September 2024. Western governments and defence-linked firms now want to secure alternative supplies. That shift has brought Pakistan and its surrounding region into sharper focus.

Pakistan currently produces only a small volume of antimony and holds roughly one percent of global reserves, according to the US Geological Survey. Pakistan-based Himalayan Earth Exploration has seen growing interest from US buyers seeking antimony from Pakistan.

In short, the opportunity has gained attention at the highest levels. Intermediaries have proposed building a dedicated terminal to ship antimony directly to the United States.

Another US firm, Strategic Metals, has agreed to collaborate with Pakistan on critical minerals for defence, aerospace, and technology industries.

Despite the growing interest, Pakistan remains stuck at the lower end of the value chain. Most antimony is extracted through small mining operations, with little local refining or processing. Also, raw material often leaves Pakistan at prices well below international market levels.

Globally, China dominates antimony processing. Only a handful of smelters outside China are capable of processing antimony at scale.

There are also concerns about traceability, with some antimony marketed as Pakistani that was reportedly mined in Afghanistan and moved across the border informally.

Although antimony prices have eased from their peak as new supply enters the market from Southeast Asia and buyers explore substitutes, US interest in Pakistan remains high.