Stibnite (Antimony Ore)

Stibnite (Antimony Ore) from Pakistan

Stibnite is an antimony trisulphide mineral (Sb₂S₃) containing 71.4% antimony in its pure form. It is the world’s principal ore of antimony, a strategically important metalloid used across flame retardant, battery, military, and specialty alloy industries. Stibnite has a characteristic steel-grey metallic lustre with elongated blade-like or prismatic crystal habit. It occurs in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, often alongside quartz, calcite, and other sulphide minerals. Pakistan’s geological formations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan host stibnite mineralization in commercially exploitable quantities.

Available Forms

• Hand-sorted lumps: 20-150 mm (55-65% Sb)

• Run-of-mine (ROM) lumps: 10-200 mm (40-50% Sb)

• Crushed ore: 0-50 mm, 0-25 mm

• Gravity concentrate: 55-65% Sb

• Flotation concentrate: 50-60% Sb

• Custom sizing available

Industrial Uses

• Antimony trioxide (ATO) production: Stibnite is roasted or volatilized to produce Sb₂O₃, the most important antimony compound. ATO is the primary synergist used with halogenated flame retardants in plastics, textiles, rubber, electronics, and building materials. Over 50% of global antimony consumption goes into flame retardant applications

• Lead-acid batteries: Antimony is alloyed with lead to produce antimony-lead (Pb-Sb) battery grids for automotive, industrial, and standby power batteries. Antimony improves grid strength, castability, and electrochemical performance. Battery alloys account for approximately 30% of antimony demand

• Lead alloys: Antimony is added to lead to produce hard lead, type metal, bearing metal (Babbitt), and ammunition alloys. Antimony hardens lead and improves its mechanical properties

• Antimony metal production: Stibnite is reduced to antimony metal (99.65-99.90% Sb) by iron precipitation or electrolysis. Antimony metal is used in semiconductor compounds (InSb, GaSb), thermoelectric materials, and specialty alloys

• Flame retardant chemicals: Beyond ATO, antimony is used to produce sodium antimonate (glass, ceramics), antimony pentoxide (intumescent coatings), and other flame retardant compounds

• Military and defense: Antimony is used in armor-piercing ammunition, tracer bullets, explosive primers, infrared sensors, and night vision equipment. Its critical mineral status reflects its defense importance

• Catalyst: Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in PET (polyester) polymerization for producing plastic bottles, polyester fiber, and film

• Glass and ceramics: Antimony compounds are used as fining agents, opacifiers, and colorants in glass and ceramic production

• Mineral specimens: Well-crystallized stibnite specimens with radiating prismatic crystal clusters are highly valued by mineral collectors worldwide

Quality Assurance

Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis reporting Sb, As, Pb, Fe, S, SiO₂, Cu, Bi, Hg, Se, moisture, and size distribution. Assays are performed by accredited laboratories using ICP-OES and AAS methods. Pre-shipment samples are provided for buyer approval. Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, Alex Stewart, or equivalent) can be arranged. Umpire assay provisions are available for large contracts.