U.S. Short on Bullets? Dependent on China for Mineral to Make Ammo

One of the reasons for sending cluster bombs to Ukraine. Short on Ammo. The simple answer to ask is why are we not making them. The answer is right now we are dependent on China for the mineral Antimoney to make them. One has to ask is that why the administration is bending over these days to China?

‘EMBARRASSING, HUMILIATING’: Biden shares US secrets on live TV

The U.S. military depends almost completely on China for a mineral essential to the production of ammunition and other defense products, Defense News reported

The U.S. has no domestic mine for the mineral antimony, which is reportedly used in the production of night vision goggles, armor-piercing bullets, explosives and nuclear weapons.

“China in particular does a remarkably good job of hoarding these materials,” Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told Defense News. “China clearly has a comprehensive global strategy to corner the market on these materials and we’re behind and we’re playing catch-up.” Read more

It wasn’t always that way. A Forbes story back on May 6, 2021 gave us the background. Here tis:

Many readers have likely never heard of antimony, but it is important to their lives nevertheless. In fact, were it not for antimony produced here in the United States, the outcome of World War II might have turned out differently.

No, really, it could have. Antimony is a strategic critical mineral that is used in all manner of military applications, including the manufacture of armor piercing bullets, night vision goggles, infrared sensors, precision optics, laser sighting, explosive formulations, hardened lead for bullets and shrapnel, ammunition primers, tracer ammunition, nuclear weapons and production, tritium production, flares, military clothing, and communication equipment. It is the key element in the creation of tungsten steel and the hardening of lead bullets, two of its most crucial applications during WWII.

Fortunately for the U.S. at that time, a gold mine in central Idaho called the Stibnite mine was able to step up production of the antimony that is an element in the mine’s ore and helped fill the void.

The Stibnite mine ended up producing fully 90% of America’s demand for antimony for the duration of the War and was key to producing 40% of the tungsten steel needed for the military effort. Following the War, output from the Stibnite mine gradually declined, and its operations were shut down entirely in 1997.

….Now, consider this: There can be no “energy transition” without adequate supplies of antimony. That thick, heavy glass used in solar panels? It’s made with antimony. Those 300 to 700 foot-tall windmills that sporadically produce electricity? Made with antimony. Antimony is a key element in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, as mentioned above, but even more crucial is the fact that it is integral to the development of the next-generation liquid metal batteries that, as Ecclestone pointed out during the webinar, hold the key to truly scalable energy storage for wind and solar power. Read more at Forbes

There is some good news to this story. The Stibnite mine in Idaho has been trying to reopen. However over 50 permits are required. Back in 2021 the goal was opening in 2025-26. Good luck with that but if the Biden clan doesn’t prefer to sell it to China, our need for this mineral can been answered. Doubtful by this administration to go ahead with approvals would be my hunch.

For the latest on the mine:

Touring Stibnite: Forest Service wants public comment on revised mining plan

The very best of the swamp.