Description of United States Antimony's Business Segments
Antimony Division
Our antimony smelter and precious metals plant is located in the Burns Mining
District of Sanders County, Montana, approximately 15 miles west of Thompson
Falls, MT. We hold 2 patented mill sites where the plant is located. We have
no "proven reserves" or "probable reserves" of antimony,
as these terms are defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Environmental
restrictions preclude mining at this site.
Mining was suspended in December 1983, because antimony could be purchased more
economically from foreign sources.
In our existing operations in Montana, we produce antimony oxide, sodium antimonate,
antimony metal, and precious metals. Antimony oxide is a fine, white powder
that is used primarily in conjunction with a halogen to form a synergistic flame
retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings
and paper. Antimony oxide is also used as a color fastener in paint, as a catalyst
for production of polyester resins for fibers and film, as a catalyst for production
of polyethylene pthalate in plastic bottles, as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent
light bulbs, and as an opacifier for porcelains. Sodium antimonate is primarily
used as a fining agent (degasser) for glass in cathode ray tubes and as a flame
retardant. We also sell antimony metal for use in bearings, storage batteries
and ordnance.
We estimate (but have not independently confirmed) that our present share of
the domestic market and international market for antimony oxide products is
approximately 4% and less than 1%, respectively. We are the only significant
U.S. producer of antimony products, while China supplies 92% of the world antimony
demand. We believe we are competitive both domestically and world-wide due to
the following:
We have a reputation for quality products delivered on a timely basis.
We have two of the three operating antimony smelters in North and Central America.
We are the sole domestic producer of antimony products.
We can ship on short notice to domestic customers.
We are vertically integrated, with raw materials from our own mines, mills,
and smelter in Mexico, along with the raw materials from exclusive supply agreements
we have with numerous ore and raw material suppliers.
As a vertically integrated company, we will have more control over our raw material
costs.
Zeolite Division
We have no "proven reserves" or "probable reserves" of
zeolite, as these terms are defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Zeolite" refers to a group of industrial minerals that consist of
hydrated aluminosilicates that hold cations such as calcium, sodium, ammonium,
various heavy metals, and potassium in their crystal lattice. Water is loosely
held in cavities in the lattice. BRZ zeolite is regarded as one of the best
zeolites in the world due to its high CEC of approximately 180-220 meq/100 gr.,
its hardness and high clinoptilolite content, its absence of clay minerals,
and its low sodium content. BRZs zeolite deposits’ characteristics which
the mineral useful for a variety of purposes including:
Soil Amendment and Fertilizer. Zeolite has been successfully used to fertilize
golf courses, sports fields, parks and common areas, and high value agricultural
crops
Water Filtration. Zeolite is used for particulate, heavy metal and ammonium
removal in swimming pools, municipal water systems, fisheries, fish farms, and
aquariums.
Sewage Treatment. Zeolite is used in sewage treatment plants to remove nitrogen
and as a carrier for microorganisms.
Nuclear Waste and Other Environmental Cleanup. Zeolite has shown a strong ability
to selectively remove strontium, cesium, radium, uranium, and various other
radioactive isotopes from solution. Zeolite can also be used for the cleanup
of soluble metals such as mercury, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum,
nickel, cobalt, antimony, calcium, silver and uranium.
Odor Control. A major cause of odor around cattle, hog, and poultry feed lots
is the generation of the ammonium in urea and manure. The ability of zeolite
to absorb ammonium prevents the formation of ammonia gas, which disperses the
odor.
Gas Separation. Zeolite has been used for some time to separate gases, to re-oxygenate
downstream water from sewage plants, smelters, pulp and paper plants, and fish
ponds and tanks, and to remove carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide
from methane generators as organic waste, sanitary landfills, municipal sewage
systems and animal waste treatment facilities.
Animal Nutrition. Feeding up to 2% zeolite increases growth rates, decreases
conversion rates, prevents scours, and increases longevity.
Miscellaneous Uses. Other uses include catalysts, petroleum refining, concrete,
solar energy and heat exchange, desiccants, pellet binding, horse and kitty
litter, floor cleaner and carriers for insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.
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