Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element with symbol W and atomic number 74.  Antimony is a chemical element with symbol Sb (from Latin: stibium) and atomic number 51. A lustrous gray metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite (Sb₂S₃). Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times and were used for cosmetics; metallic antimony was also known, but it was erroneously identified as lead upon its discovery.

 

Japan’s media said, the prices of rare metal tungsten and antimony rose, compared with the recent record low prices in mid-March, the international spot prices increase by about 20 to 30%, the main reason is China, the big rare metals country, began to reduce the supply and start the national purchasing and storage. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun’s report on May 26, tungsten as the raw material of superabrasive tools, the current price of wherein the intermediate material ammonium paratungstate (APT) is around $ 21.9 per kilogram, rose by 27% compared with the mid-March .

 

Since the autumn in 2015, eight mines in China began to cut production and reduce supply. Some companies of tungsten trading said, "We have always been in the deficit". It is cut back by 20% in 2016 than last year. It is reported that China’s purchasing and storage plan of tungsten concentrate started in April have had an impact on tungsten prices. About 10,000 tons of reserves, which is equivalent to about 10% of China's annual output. In addition, demand is very sluggish. Affected by the economic slowdown of China that is the largest consumer country, the demand of superhard tools shows weakness. While the prices of crude oil also made mines development in the United States and other countries stalled. The price of antimony that prevents burning synthetic resin is about $ 6,400 per ton, up by 22%. Since the Chinese government has strengthened the environmental protection measures, a number of manufacturers stopped production. Japanese manufacturers of antimony compounds claimed, "If the enterprise does not have the equipments without harmful substances powering when refining, antimony compounds can not be produced."