Sept 10 (Reuters) - United States Antimony Corp. ( UAMY )

, the only smelter of antimony in North America, said on

Tuesday it was looking to increase its supply of the minor

metal, which would then allow it to ramp up its facility.

Antimony, a strategic minor metal used in flame-retardants,

batteries and munitions, was added to China's export restriction

list in August, as it aimed to shore up the material in the name

of national security.

Last year, China accounted for 48% of global mined output of

antimony, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Gary Evans, the co-chief executive officer of United States

Antimony ( UAMY ), said that its smelting facility at Thompson Falls was

only running at 50% of its capacity due to a lack of supply.

"We're working on changing that, and it'll probably happen

over the next 30 to 60 days. Those additional supplies will

probably come from foreign sources - we're talking to 12

different countries," Evans said at the H.C. Wainwright 26th

Annual Global Investment Conference.

The company has also leased a flotation facility in

Philipsburg, Montana, that would help refine sub-par antimony

and "bring it up to the levels it needs to be to make

munitions-grade antimony," Evans added.