(JW Insights) Aug 17 -- China's push to control its exports of gallium has sent prices for the metal used in semiconductors to a 10-month high as suppliers await official approvals to ship overseas, reported Bloomberg on August 16.

Gallium's price has surged more than 50% since China unveiled its restrictions in early July, according to Fastmarkets data, pointing to a tighter market.

Gallium traded at $400 a kilogram on August 9, the highest since mid-October last year, the Fastmarkets data showed.

Chinese producers of the niche metal need permission to ship abroad under rules effective from August 1. While some exporters have filed for approval, they expect the process could take several weeks, according to people with knowledge of the issue who declined to be named because the information is not public.

China unveiled curbs on gallium and another metal, germanium, last month. The restrictions — seen as part of Beijing's tit-for-tat battle with the West over technology — spooked global buyers and prompted reactions from senior US officials. China refines about 94% of the world's gallium, according to EU figures.

China exported about 80 to 90 tons of gallium metal and 50 tons of gallium oxide a year before the curbs, compared with a domestic production of 290 tons, according to estimate from Shanghai Metals Market.

(Li PP)