U.S. Eyes Tajikistan Antimony as China Dominates Processing

The United States is showing growing interest in Tajikistan’s antimony – a metal important to the defense industry, electronics, and batteries. The country accounted for about 20% of global production in 2025, ranking third after China and Russia. For Washington, Tajik deposits could become one of the alternative sources of supply amid tighter Chinese controls on antimony exports. That interest received political confirmation on September 1. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met in Bishkek with U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor and Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Among the subjects discussed, the two sides specifically highlighted investment in rare and strategically important minerals. Critical minerals have taken on a prominent role in U.S. policy toward Central Asia in 2026. Washington is looking for new sources of strategic raw materials as it seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese supplies. In Kazakhstan, U.S.-based Cove Capital, together with state-owned Tau-Ken Samruk, is already preparing to develop the large Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty tungsten deposits. For Tajikistan, antimony could play a similar role. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the country produced about 22,000 tons of antimony in 2025, out of global production of approximately 110,000 tons. China produced about 40,000 tons, while Russia produced 32,000 tons. Antimony is used in batteries, flame-retardant materials, semiconductors, infrared optics, and military applications. Its strategic importance has increased since China introduced export controls on antimony products in 2024. Playing Catch-Up to China Tajikistan’s main antimony production is concentrated in Ayni District in the north of the country. Its two principal centers – Dzhizhikrut and Konchoch – also illustrate the respective positions of American and Chinese capital in the sector. Washington would not be starting from scratch. The Dzhizhikrut antimony-mercury deposit is operated by Anzob, which has been wholly owned by U.S.-based Comsup Commodities Inc. since 2006. At Konchoch, China has the stronger position. The group of deposits is being developed by TALCO Gold, which is 50% owned by the state-owned Tajik Aluminium Company and 50% by China’s Tibet Huayu Mining. The Chinese investor entered the project in 2017, paying $90 million for its stake. Konchoch comprises several deposits containing gold, silver, antimony, mercury, and other minerals. Tajik authorities estimate that the deposit contains more than 23 million tons of ore, about 50 tons of gold, and more than 265,000 tons of antimony. The key advantage of the Chinese-backed project is processing. In July 2026, TALCO Gold commissioned a plant with capacity to produce up to 5,000 tons of metallic antimony a year. Previously, the company had primarily produced concentrates. The Chinese investor now participates in the chain from ore extraction to metal production. For the United States, this makes the challenge more complicated: access to a deposit alone does not provide an independent source of finished antimony products. More broadly, an OECD review published in 2026 says foreign investment in Tajikistan’s mining sector comes mainly from China, making U.S.-owned Comsup one of...