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Here, the researchers started with four parent compounds containing five elements in total -- ytterbium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and antimony -- running calculations to determine which combinations of the parent compounds could reach band convergence.

In alloys of aluminum and antimony, antimony wants to form precipitates, like oil wants to form droplets in water.

Perpetual Resources wants to reopen and expand a long-dormant open pit gold and antimony mine along the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River east of McCall.

“For a short while they get a higher price, but then China’s market dominance gets lost — the same thing has happened before in other things like antimony, tungsten and rare earths.”

PRAs typically publish prices on a weekly or fortnightly basis for 17 minor metals including arsenic, antimony, cadmium and chromium.