Development Journey

The Rising Star of Antimony Industry in Southwest China

　　— The Entrepreneurial Development History of Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd.

　　Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd. was established through the restructuring of the original Muli Antimony Mine in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, founded in 1958. After half a century of entrepreneurial development, the company has become a nationally renowned antimony product manufacturer known both at home and abroad. In 1995, the company became a council member of the China Antimony Products Consortium; in February 2001, it became a council member of the Antimony and Antimony Products Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters; from March 2001 to present, it has been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (later the Ministry of Commerce) as a qualified "Antimony Product Export Supplier"; since April 2001, it has been a member and council member of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association; in March 2005, it became a full member of the International Antimony Oxide Association; and in 2014, it was elected as the vice-chair unit of the Antimony Branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association. The company currently has six main production units: mining branch, beneficiation branch, first smelting plant, second smelting plant, third smelting plant, and power station. The corporate governance structure consists of the shareholders' representative assembly, board of directors, supervisory board, and management team. The company’s functional management departments include the Party and government office, human resources and labor, finance, sales, production technology, quality management, resource development, material supply, safety and environmental protection, energy conservation and emission reduction, logistics and security, totaling eleven departments. The Party and mass organizations include the company’s Party committee, discipline inspection commission, labor union, Communist Youth League, and women's committee. In summary, from the reform and opening-up period to the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the company has comprehensively improved and made qualitative leaps in enterprise management capability, product development capability, technological innovation capability, and market competitiveness, developing into a nationally famous antimony product production and operation enterprise.

1. Rising in the Mountains

　　The original Muli Antimony Mine in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is one of the large-scale antimony mines in China. It is located within Guangnan County, Yunnan Province, connected by national highways, expressways, and high-speed rail to Kunming and Nanning. The Muli mining area lies along the Xiyang River in Guangnan County, surrounded by the winding Wudian Mountains and towering peaks.

　　The development history of Muli Antimony Mine is long and profound. Villagers were mining there during the late Qing Dynasty (Xuantong era) and the Republic of China period. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Muli Antimony Mine began a difficult journey of starting from scratch. On March 5, 1958, the miners built several thatched huts, colloquially called "dog fire," as living and dining quarters. Using primitive tools such as blasting rods and large hammers, they took the first step in the entrepreneurial history of Muli Antimony Mine. Since then, the people of Muli have sung a song of hard work and perseverance through the long years of arduous entrepreneurship, growing from nothing to something, from small to large...

　　The expansion of mining, beneficiation, and smelting production scale and the adjustment of industrial structure at Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd. mainly went through three major periods: The first period was before 1980, during which production processes were mainly traditional mining and smelting methods. The second period was from 1980 to 1990, when the "Phase I Step One and Phase I Step Two" technological renovation and expansion projects were implemented, gradually standardizing and mechanizing production processes, laying an important foundation for upgrading the enterprise’s grade, scale, and efficiency. The third period is from 1990 to the present, especially since the restructuring of Muli Antimony Mine into Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd. in 1998, the company’s production scale has developed unprecedentedly, with an annual antimony product capacity of 10,000 tons, including 6,000 tons of high-purity antimony oxide series products and 4,000 tons of antimony ingots and other antimony products.

　　Through continuous innovation, Muli Antimony has developed into the largest integrated antimony product manufacturer in Yunnan Province, combining mining, beneficiation, smelting, product development, and industrial and trade integration.

2. Emerging from the Depths of the Old System

　　The development history of Yunnan Muli Antimony is both a history of entrepreneurship and a history of continuous reform challenging the old system. Over half a century, Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd. has accompanied the industrial development of the Republic from scratch, experiencing the long-term planned economy system and the market economy system of reform and opening-up. The transition from planned economy to market economy, from state-owned enterprise to joint-stock enterprise, has involved continuous innovation in systems and mechanisms, thereby continuously liberating and developing productive forces.

　　From 1958 to 1965 was the "initial mining construction period" under the state-owned enterprise system for Muli Antimony.

　　From 1966 to 1976 was the "Cultural Revolution period" influenced by the "extreme left" line, during which the normal production order of the enterprise was disrupted.

　　From 1977 to 1991, China finally ended the "ten years of turmoil" caused by the Cultural Revolution. Especially since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party in 1978, Muli Antimony entered the "period of correcting mistakes and economic system reform pilot." The company gradually implemented the economic responsibility contract system internally and achieved better economic benefits year by year. The development of Muli Antimony gradually reached new heights. From 1989 to 1991, it was successively recognized as an "Advanced Unit for Export Earnings" and "Advanced Enterprise in Safety Production Management" and "Advanced Enterprise in Contracted Operation" in the province and prefecture.

　　From 1992 to 1996, with the deepening of national reform and opening-up and the gradual establishment of the socialist market economy, Muli Antimony welcomed a comprehensive turning point and deepening reform period with great confidence and enthusiasm. Since 1992, Muli Antimony Mine was listed as a "pilot unit for industrial enterprise transformation in Wenshan Prefecture." To address the systemic problems of state-owned enterprises, it successively carried out reforms in labor, personnel, and wage systems, as well as a series of internal enterprise system constructions. At the same time, it experienced major national reforms in finance and taxation, finance, foreign trade, pricing, and loan repayment.

　　In 1997, with the momentum of the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party, Muli Antimony Mine in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture became one of the first pilot enterprises in Yunnan Province to establish a modern enterprise system. Employees bought out their state enterprise worker status and state-owned assets, restructuring the original "Muli Antimony Mine of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture" into "Yunnan Muli Antimony Co., Ltd." as a joint-stock company. It officially started operations on January 8, 1998, becoming a corporate economic entity and market competitor with independent operation, profit and loss responsibility, self-discipline, and self-development. The reform brought vitality to the enterprise and benefits to employees. From 1997 to 2013, over sixteen years, Yunnan Muli Antimony withstood severe tests including market downturns, financial crises, operational shrinkage, product upgrades, industrial adjustments, and industry integration.

3. Striving for Development Against the Current

　　The more than fifty years of ups and downs of Muli Antimony is entirely a history of overcoming difficulties in the face of challenges. From 1996 to 2000, during the country’s Ninth Five-Year Plan period, it was also the most challenging and difficult period since the mine’s establishment. The entire enterprise faced five consecutive years of market depression, plummeting antimony prices, operational difficulties, and severe losses.

　　However, faced with adversity, the people of Muli remained fearless and stood firmly united, always upholding the company spirit of "hard work, democratic pragmatism, unity, mutual trust, and pioneering innovation." Under the leadership of the company's decision-making and management teams, they demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and remarkable resilience. Through repeated struggles and years of relentless determination, Muli Antimony Industry finally turned danger into safety, emerged from its challenges, reversed losses into profits, strengthened its overall capabilities, and propelled the company’s sustainable growth. The success of Yunnan Muli Antimony Industry in overcoming these difficulties was largely due to innovations in five key areas:

　　First is institutional innovation: in 1998, Muli Antimony Industry successfully underwent a comprehensive restructuring into a joint-stock company. This reform not only strengthened the sense of responsibility among managers and operators, heightened employees' commitment to the company and fostered a stronger "owner-employee" mindset, but also facilitated the market-oriented management of state-owned capital. At the same time, the restructuring injected much-needed pressure—transforming it into motivation and ultimately revitalizing the struggling enterprise.

　　Second, through management innovation, Muli Antimony Industry has consistently strengthened its internal capabilities by intensifying internal management efforts and tapping into untapped potential to boost efficiency. The company has further refined its internal economic responsibility system, successfully reducing costs in mining, ore processing, and smelting operations. This has not only ensured the company’s survival and sustainable growth but also bolstered its competitive edge in the market while elevating overall management effectiveness.

　　Third, technological innovation: Throughout its journey of leveraging technology for greater efficiency and driving growth, Muli Antimony Industry undertook a project from 1997 to 2000 aimed at developing advanced high-purity antimony oxide technology. Using traditional antimony ingots as raw material, the company successfully produced a range of high-purity antimony trioxide products that not only met market demand but also proved highly competitive. This initiative marked a significant upgrade in the company’s product lineup, boosting both the technological sophistication and market share of its offerings, while ultimately enhancing overall business profitability.

　　Fourth is quality innovation—upholding the principle that product quality is the lifeblood of the enterprise. We’ve strengthened our product quality management practices and aligned them with international quality standards. Since 1999, we’ve successfully obtained ISO 9000 series certification from the China National Certification Center for Import and Export Commodities, ensuring that both our product quality and management processes are fully standardized and globally recognized.

　　Fifth, we focus on operational innovation. Muli Antimony Industry has consistently dedicated itself to building a strong brand and fostering integrity, maintaining a 100% pass rate in product inspections and achieving a perfect balance between production and sales over the years. Since 1996, the "Muli" brand antimony products have repeatedly earned titles such as "Yunnan Province Famous Brand Product," "Internationally Recognized Product," and "Yunnan Province Renowned Trademark." Known for their superior quality, competitive pricing, and unwavering reliability, Muli antimony products have earned the trust of customers both at home and abroad.

4. Pursuing Efficiency Through Technology

　　Science and technology are the key drivers of corporate progress and the essential factor in enhancing business efficiency. At its core, competition in a market economy boils down to a battle of technological strength. Since the 1980s, Muli Antimony Industry has consistently adhered to the principle that science and technology are the primary productive forces, fully embracing a period of innovation-driven growth.

　　From 1984 to 1990, the company successively implemented the "Phase One Step One" and "Phase One Step Two" technological renovation and expansion projects, which led to a qualitative leap in the enterprise's production technology. As a result, the integrated processes for mining, beneficiation, and metallurgy gradually became standardized and mechanized. At the same time, production capacity continued to grow steadily, unlocking significant economies of scale and laying a robust foundation—both in terms of production and operations—for the future development of Muli Antimony Industry.

　　From 1996 to 2000, Muli Antimony Industry undertook multiple rounds of technological upgrades across various areas—including mining methods at the mine, processing plant workflows, smelting systems, safety and environmental measures, and computerized network management—in order to further enhance labor productivity, cut production costs, and strengthen its competitive edge in the market. As a result, the company achieved 100% coverage of its technical renovations. These improvements led to significant reductions in both production and operational expenses. Additionally, from 1997 to 2000, the company successfully implemented a major technical upgrade project for a high-purity antimony trioxide production line with an annual capacity of 6,000 tons. The resulting process technology and product quality reached advanced domestic and international standards, earning the company China Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation’s prestigious “Second Prize for National Scientific and Technological Progress” in July 1999.

　　Since 1996, Muli Antimony Industry has continuously intensified its efforts in technological integration and innovation, fully embracing a strategic shift toward optimizing product structure, upgrading production processes, and significantly increasing investments in safety and environmental protection—marking the beginning of a circular economy era. Specifically: First, the company has stepped up its development of antimony products, enhancing its ability to innovate and diversify its offerings. This has fundamentally transformed the company’s past reliance on a single product—antimony ingots—enabling it to introduce higher-tech, value-added products that now account for a larger share of its portfolio. Second, Muli Antimony has undertaken comprehensive upgrades to its process equipment, driving substantial improvements in operational efficiency and boosting overall economic performance. Key projects include modernizing mining, beneficiation, and metallurgical processes, as well as advancing power generation systems, computerized network management tools, and cutting-edge facilities for product analysis and quality control. Third, the company has pioneered a new approach by integrating research and industry, collaborating closely with leading scientific institutions in Kunming and Guangzhou. Together, they successfully implemented a groundbreaking project focused on the comprehensive recovery and recycling of sulfur-oxygen mixed tailings from antimony mines, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Fourth, Muli Antimony places top priority on safety, environmental protection, and energy conservation. The company has steadily strengthened its safety protocols and environmental safeguards, ensuring that industrial “three wastes” meet stringent emission standards. In 2012, the company achieved ISO 1400:2004 certification for its environmental management system, underscoring its dedication to sustainable practices. Finally, the company has vigorously promoted a circular economy model, maximizing resource utilization and minimizing waste. Notably, Muli Antimony has launched initiatives such as adopting advanced mine backfilling techniques and implementing innovative solutions for treating tailings and wastewater from mineral processing. These efforts have enabled the company to achieve both efficient resource use and the recycling of tailings and treated water, further solidifying its position as a leader in eco-friendly industrial practices. Thanks to these strategic investments in technology and continuous process improvements, Muli Antimony has not only revitalized its operations but also positioned itself firmly on the path toward a new era of industrialization characterized by innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth.

　　5. Forging Tomorrow's Glory

　　Though the more than 50-year history of Muli people may have passed in the blink of an eye, the pioneering spirit and relentless dedication that have defined Muli Antimony Industry’s journey—from its humble beginnings to its remarkable growth—have already been etched into an enduring monument! For five decades, this legacy has carried with it the grand aspirations and heartfelt hopes of generations of Muli individuals—a legacy that remains vividly imprinted, indelibly etched in their memories, unforgettable and deeply cherished.

　　Over more than 50 years of entrepreneurship and development, Muli Antimony Industry has contributed to building a harmonious local society. Facing increasingly fierce market competition and the challenges of global economic integration, "integrating resources, optimizing structure, and restructuring industries" have become the central themes driving modern enterprise growth. Muli Antimony Industry consistently adheres to the guiding principles of staying vigilant in times of stability and advancing with the times, comprehensively promoting the company’s sustainable development.

　　"The 12th Five-Year Plan" will be a crucial period for China as it builds a harmonious society and comprehensively advances its efforts to achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It will also serve as a pivotal moment for Yunnan Muli Antimony Industry to strengthen and expand, ensuring sustainable growth that is both fast and high-quality. "As the saying goes, 'To see a thousand miles further, climb another story higher,' " Muli Antimony Industry will embark on this new journey with a fresh outlook and even greater determination, striving to build a company that is "employee-friendly, environmentally responsible, innovation-driven, and resource-efficient." By keeping pace with the times, we are committed to forging ahead and creating even greater achievements in the days to come!