China’s Control of North America’s Largest Antimony Mine Raises National Security Risks for Canada
In the rugged interior of Newfoundland, approximately an hour’s drive from the Canadian Forces Base in Gander, lies the Beaver Brook mine, a dormant site with significant implications for Canada’s national security and economic stability. This mine has the potential to be the largest producer of antimony in North America, a critical mineral integral to various military applications, including small arms, artillery shells, and advanced missile systems.
However, the mine is owned by China and was shut down in early 2023, just one year before Beijing enacted export controls that blocked antimony sales to U.S. military end users. This move has caused prices to skyrocket from around US$5,900 per tonne to over US$50,000.
Antimony, which forms in crystalline masses often resembling dark silver needles, is essential for military operations. It hardens military components and enhances the infrared capabilities necessary for modern warfare. The U.S. military’s reliance on antimony is profound; without it, sustaining combat operations for even a single day would be impossible. This reality has prompted urgent efforts by the U.S. to stockpile antimony, revive domestic processing capabilities, and reduce dependence on China and Russia.
Ownership and Operational History
The Beaver Brook mine was acquired in December 2009 by Hunan Nonferrous Metals Corporation, a Chinese state-linked entity, for $29.5 million. The mine ceased operations in 2013, coinciding with Xi Jinping’s rise to the presidency. It was briefly revived in 2019 under China Minmetals Rare Earth Group, employing around 100 workers and shipping concentrate to China. However, it was abruptly closed again in 2023 and has not produced since.
The situation at Beaver Brook serves as a microcosm of broader geopolitical tensions. The control of such a strategic asset raises urgent questions for Canada. Is Beijing intentionally keeping this mine dormant to limit global supply and hinder Western competitors? Are Chinese mining operatives in Canada obstructing what could be a vital asset for Ottawa in its stalled trade negotiations with Washington? Could Canada invoke national security measures to compel Beijing to divest and reclaim the mine?
Industry Perspectives
Anthony Vaccaro, president of The Northern Miner, highlighted the increasing stakes surrounding antimony at the Central MinEx 2025 conference. He emphasized the mineral’s importance for military strength and noted that China currently dominates the market. Vaccaro referenced a 2004 assessment from The Northern Miner, which indicated that Beaver Brook could produce about five percent of the world’s antimony supply at full capacity, making it North America’s only primary antimony mine.
In contrast, Perpetua Resources is developing a lower-grade antimony deposit in Idaho, supported by over $80 million in Defense Department funding and a federal financing commitment of up to $2 billion. Meanwhile, Canada’s more promising deposit remains idle under Chinese control.
Vaccaro pointed out the irony that Newfoundland and Labrador possess the largest antimony potential mine in North America, yet it is owned by China and not in production.
Government Response and Strategic Implications
Tim Hodgson, appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney as Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, oversees Canada’s critical minerals strategy. His ministry is responsible for the sovereign minerals fund and the Investment Canada Act framework, which governs foreign control of strategic assets. Questions regarding the strategic assessment of Beaver Brook and any national security reviews related to its Chinese ownership have been acknowledged by Hodgson’s office but remain unanswered.
China Minmetals, the company controlling Beaver Brook, is not a typical commercial mining entity. It is one of China’s largest state-owned resource conglomerates, with operations spanning mining, metals production, and engineering across multiple countries. The company is directly supervised by China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, placing it firmly within China’s industrial strategy.
Ottawa’s response to the strategic presence of China Minmetals in Canada has been notably lacking. In November 2022, the Canadian government ordered three Chinese companies to divest from Canadian critical mineral firms on national security grounds, but the only primary antimony mine remained untouched.
Broader Geopolitical Context
China’s influence extends beyond Beaver Brook. Through its subsidiary MMG, China Minmetals controls the Izok Corridor Project in Nunavut, a significant undeveloped mineral corridor. This project is linked to the proposed Grays Bay Road and Port, which would create the first all-weather land route and deep-water Arctic port in the region.
On March 12, 2026, Prime Minister Carney announced a $35 billion investment in Arctic military and infrastructure spending, repackaging funds previously allocated by the Trudeau government. The Grays Bay Road and Port was referred to the Major Projects Office for fast-track approval, a move that could enhance the strategic position of a Chinese state enterprise in Canada’s North.
Concerns about sovereignty in the Arctic have been documented for years. A 2019 House of Commons Standing Committee report warned of China’s growing interest in Arctic shipping routes and resource access. The geopolitical stakes are high, as Canada finds itself at a critical juncture in its Arctic strategy.
Conclusion
The situation at Beaver Brook is not merely a matter of market dynamics; it poses a significant test of Canadian sovereignty. As Newfoundland’s geostrategic importance grows, the presence of a dormant mine in Chinese hands raises critical questions about national security and economic independence.
In Glenwood, where Beaver Brook workers await the return of jobs, the community reflects Canada’s latent potential. The mine’s future remains uncertain, but its implications for national security are clear.
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