Planning a long-term antimony procurement programme

Understanding the subject

A longer-term programme starts with realistic requirements rather than a single headline annual quantity. Explain the initial qualification stage, expected shipment rhythm and locations involved.

What it means in practice

Forecasts and binding orders should be distinguished. The parties need an agreed way to handle specification changes, scheduling adjustments and the commercial basis of repeat shipments.

Bring it into your next discussion

A producer and trading business can discuss those requirements together, but any capacity, allocation or delivery commitment must be confirmed in the specific agreement. A clear programme brief gives that discussion a useful foundation.

• Separate forecast demand from committed orders.
• Describe shipment timing and qualification stages.
• Agree how changes are reviewed in writing.