During 2003, most major antimony-consuming countries experienced a continuing trend toward sharply lower demand. It affected virtually all consumption categories, and observers attributed it mostly to the recent economic situation. World antimony reserves were estimated at 3.2 Mt in 2002. Global mine production of antimony was estimated at 142 Mt in 2003 compared to 148 Mt in 2002.

Antimony (Sb) ranges in colour from tin-white to a steel grey, is opaque, metallic and is also highly toxic. Antimony trioxide, today's most significant antimony compound, is employed as a flame-retardant in textiles, plastics, adhesives and building materials. It is also used in semiconductors for making infrared detectors, diodes and Hall-effect devices. Antimony is also used in increasing the strength and hardness of lead. Antimony’s economic ore mineral is stibnite (Sb2S3). Antimony is often found associated with sulphide minerals and is generally produced as a by-product of gold mining activities. In nature, antimony has a strong affinity for sulphur and certain metals, including lead, silver and copper. China, Russia and South Africa are the world’s major producers of antimony.Principal identified world resources are in Bolivia, China, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa.

Compounds of chromium, tin, titanium, zinc, and zirconium substitute for antimony chemicals in paint, pigments and enamels. Combinations of cadmium, calcium, copper, selenium, strontium and tin can be used as substitutes for hardening lead. Selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminium oxide are often used as accepted substitutes for flame-retardants.