China has the most abundant antimony (Sb) resources of any country in the world. Antimony non-ferrous metal industry produced huge amounts of solid wastes, waste water and atmospheric particulates, and release large quantities of Sb and other heavy metals into the environment. In addition, the uses of Sb compounds for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) catalysis, brake pads and others, also cause some environmental pollution. In recent years, many Sb pollution accident occurred in China.

Our group has been focused on the study on distribution, transport, transformation and ecological effects of Sb in the environment. This paper introduced the main antimony pollution from non-ferrous industry in China including: (1) the main antimony ore types and the mining, beneficiation and smelting situation; (2) the pollution characteristic from antimony non-ferrous industry; (3) the leaching characteristics of heavy metals in the Sb-bearing waste rock and ores; and (4) the pollution of heavy metals in the environment around the typical Sb mine area.

China is facing serious antimony pollution problems, and the Chinese government attaches great importance to the prevention and control of Sb pollution. In the future, more research about Sb should shed light on the missing information. International cooperation and exchanges also need to be strengthened.