Mar 2023
Other for Bismuth in China
Liyang Zhonglianjin e‑commerce commodity exchange platform launched in March 2023 to trade 99.99% pure bismuth, enhancing market liquidity.
Commodity
Bismuth
Bismuth is a chemical element with the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. It is a post-transition metal that is part of Group 15 in the periodic table, neighboring antimony and arsenic. Bismuth is the most naturally magnetically neutral element and the heaviest member of the pnictogen group. Bismuth's origin can be traced back to various mineral ores, primarily bismuthinite and bismite. Germany and China are the...
Bismuth is a chemical element with the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. It is a post-transition metal that is part of Group 15 in the periodic table, neighboring antimony and arsenic. Bismuth is the most naturally magnetically neutral element and the heaviest member of the pnictogen group.
Bismuth's origin can be traced back to various mineral ores, primarily bismuthinite and bismite. Germany and China are the leading producers of bismuth as a by-product of lead, copper, tin, and molybdenum refining processes.
The primary uses of bismuth are in the production of alloys, cosmetics, and medical applications. Bismuth alloys are known for their low melting points and are used in fire sprinklers, fuses, and Pezuila's drips (used to protect buildings from lightning). In cosmetics, bismuth oxychloride is used as a pigment. Due to its non-toxic and nonallergic properties, bismuth subsalicylate is used in the medical field, specifically to treat diarrhea and gastric disorders.
Bismuth is produced through the smelting and refining processes of its primary ore deposits. First, bismuth ore is processed to isolate the bismuth concentrate from other metals. Then, the concentrate undergoes a heating process to produce crude bismuth, which is further refined through various methods, including liquation, distillation, and electrolysis, to create pure bismuth.
Production
Bismuth
Bismuth is a versatile mineral commodity with unique properties that make it useful in industrial applications, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics through its use in alloys, catalysts, and other chemical compounds.
Bismuth is a versatile mineral commodity with unique properties that make it useful in industrial applications, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics through its use in alloys, catalysts, and other chemical compounds.
Trade
Bismuth
Bismuth is a versatile trade commodity obtained mainly as a byproduct of mining other metals, used in industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, and electrical.
Bismuth is a versatile trade commodity obtained mainly as a byproduct of mining other metals, used in industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, and electrical.
Market intelligence
Relevant Events
1 Jan 2023
Other for Bismuth in China
China's bismuth metal exports increased for a second consecutive year in 2023, indicating higher production and potential supply changes.
1 Nov 2021
Other for Bismuth in Canada
The 97-kilometer Tlicho Highway opened in November 2021, enabling transport for the NICO project and potentially impacting bismuth supply.
1 Nov 2021
Regulatory Change for Bismuth in United States
USGS proposed a new draft critical minerals list including bismuth in November 2021, updating regulatory considerations.
1 Jan 2021
Processing Expansion for Bismuth in Peru
Antamina received approval to invest $180 million to install hydrocyclones, increasing bismuth recovery at its concentrating plant in 2021, expanding processing capacity.
30 Sep 2020
Regulatory Change for Bismuth in United States
Executive Order 13953 declared a national emergency for critical minerals on September 30 2020, prompting U.S. agencies to seek grants and loans to support domestic bismuth supply chains.
16 Sep 2020
Tariff Change for Bismuth in United States
U.S. Trade Representative extended the duty exclusion through December 31 2020 on September 16 2020, maintaining tariff relief for Chinese bismuth imports.
24 Apr 2020
Tariff Change for Bismuth in United States
U.S. Trade Representative granted duty exclusions on Chinese goods, including bismuth, effective April 24 2020, lowering import tariffs and easing U.S. bismuth imports.
20 Mar 2020
Tariff Change for Bismuth in China
China increased export rebate tax on high‑purity bismuth from 10% to 13% on March 20 2020, incentivizing higher bismuth exports.
1 Feb 2020
Infrastructure Disruption for Bismuth in China
China imposed pandemic shutdowns on mineral processing plants in February 2020, halting production of up to 3,600 t of bismuth from affected facilities.
1 Jan 2020
Processing Expansion for Bismuth in India
Hindustan Zinc Ltd. announced in 2020 that it would triple its bismuth capacity to 46 t/yr by 2027 through expansion of zinc smelter operations, boosting potential bismuth supply.
1 May 2018
Regulatory Change for Bismuth in United States
The U.S. Department of the Interior added bismuth to the critical minerals list in May 2018, influencing policy and supply security.
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