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.
Bismuth production
Bismuth
Bismuth is a mineral commodity that is often found as a byproduct of lead, copper, tin, and silver mining. It originates from the deposit of heavy metal sulfide ores under the Earth's crust through geological processes. Its unique properties, such as a low melting point, crystalline structure, and vibrant colors, make it useful in various industrial applications. Bismuth is commonly used to create alloys with other metals like lead, tin, and cadmium to improve their hardness and durability. It's also valued for its...
Bismuth is a mineral commodity that is often found as a byproduct of lead, copper, tin, and silver mining. It originates from the deposit of heavy metal sulfide ores under the Earth's crust through geological processes.
Its unique properties, such as a low melting point, crystalline structure, and vibrant colors, make it useful in various industrial applications. Bismuth is commonly used to create alloys with other metals like lead, tin, and cadmium to improve their hardness and durability. It's also valued for its non-toxic and non-corrosive properties, making it suitable for use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Bismuth production involves smelting mined bismuth sulfide ore with materials like iron, silica, and coal to separate the bismuth from other elements. The resulting purified bismuth is then melted and cast into ingots or bars, which can be further processed into various forms for specific applications.
Global Production History
Global Production Map
Production by Country
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.
1 Jan 2017
Regulatory Change for Bismuth in China
China’s 2017 environmental regulations compelled small and medium bismuth producers to shut down for upgrades, reducing domestic output by at least 25%.
Dec 2014
Ownership Change for Bismuth in Peru
Creditors announced a plan to sell the zinc‑lead smelter at La Oroya by December 2014, signalling potential ownership transfer and operational uncertainty for bismuth output.
Dec 2014
Strike for Bismuth in Peru
Following a December announcement of a planned sale, workers at La Oroya went on an indefinite strike in 2014, further disrupting bismuth production.
Nov 2014
Other for Bismuth in China
By early November 2014, Fanya warehouses held roughly 17,000 tons of bismuth, exceeding a year's global consumption and indicating significant stockpiling.
Jul 2014
Mine Opening for Bismuth in Canada
Fortune Minerals Ltd. received permits in July 2014 to construct the NICO gold‑cobalt‑bismuth‑copper mine and concentrator in Canada’s Northwest Territories, expanding bismuth production capacity.
Jun 2014
Other for Bismuth in China
Bismuth inventory on the Fanya Metal Exchange rose 120% to 11,500 tons during the first half of 2014, signaling heightened demand and potential supply constraints.
May 2014
Mine Closure for Bismuth in Peru
The La Oroya Metallurgical complex in Peru paused operations in May 2014 for a month due to concentrate shortages, temporarily cutting bismuth output.
2014
Regulatory Change for Bismuth in United States
Modification of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2014 lowered permissible lead content in plumbing, boosting demand for bismuth‑containing brass alloys.
31 Dec 2013
Processing Shutdown for Bismuth in United States
The final U.S. primary lead smelter ceased operations at the end of 2013, cutting domestic bismuth supply from lead smelting.
Dec 2013
Processing Shutdown for Bismuth in United States
The last domestic primary lead smelter closed at yearend 2013, ending local bismuth by‑product production and raising import dependence.
Mar 2013
Trade Agreement for Bismuth in China
China launched the Fanya Metal Exchange in March 2013, providing a formal market for bismuth trading and influencing global supply dynamics.
2013
Strike for Bismuth in Peru
A strike at Peru's sole bismuth mine, lasting most of the previous three years, halted Peru’s bismuth production.
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