Exhibit 5.01

           OPINION AND CONSENT OF HAWLEY TROXELL ENNIS & HAWLEY LLP


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                            _________________, 2000



United States Antimony Corporation
P.O. Box 643
1250 Prospect Creek Road
Thompson Falls, MT  59873

      Re:   United States Antimony Corporation
            Form SB-2 Registration Statement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      This firm represents United States Antimony Corporation, a
Montana corporation (the "Company").  This opinion is delivered in
connection with the referenced Form SB-2 Registration Statement (as
amended by Amendment No. 1) relating to United States Antimony
Corporation, the issuance of up to 4,870,625 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (hereinafter
referred to as the "Common Stock") upon conversion of certain
debentures and exercise of certain related warrants, and the resale
of up to 477,979 shares of the Company's Common Stock by certain
Selling Shareholders described in the Registration Statement.  In
connection therewith, we have examined originals or copies of
corporate records, certificates of public officials and of officers
of the Company and other instruments relating to the authorization
and issuance of such shares of Common Stock as we have deemed
relevant and necessary for the opinion hereinafter expressed.

      On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (1)
the issuance of 477,979 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of
the Company's Series C preferred stock was duly authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Company and that those shares are legally
issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and (2) the issuance of up to
4,870,625 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of certain
debentures and exercise of certain related warrants has been duly
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company, and that those
shares, when issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the debentures and/or the warrants, will be legally issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

      The opinions herein expressed are limited to the laws of the
United States and to the Montana Business Corporation Act
(including the statutory provisions of that Act, the applicable
provisions of the Montana Constitution and reported judicial
decisions interpreting these laws), all as in effect on the date
hereof.

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 and any
amendment thereof, and to references to this Firm in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement.

                              Sincerely,

                              HAWLEY TROXELL ENNIS & HAWLEY LLP



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