Tungsten
Projects
Major Tungsten Projects Worldwide
The development pipeline for Tungsten projects spans exploration through production across multiple jurisdictions. We track 4 key projects that will shape the future supply landscape for this refractory metal.
Current Production
84,000
tonnes W content
Top Producer
China
82% share
Projects Tracked
4
Reserves
4.1 million tonnes W content
Tungsten Project Pipeline
The following projects represent the most significant Tungsten operations and development-stage assets worldwide:
Sangdong Mine
Almonty Industries
Historical Korean tungsten mine being restarted with financing from German KfW bank; strategic project to reduce Western dependence on Chinese tungsten
Mittersill Mine
Wolfram Bergbau und Hutten
Largest operating tungsten mine in Europe; scheelite deposit in the Austrian Alps
Panasqueira Mine
Almonty Industries
Historic European tungsten mine operating since 1896; one of the oldest continuously operating mines in Europe
Mactung/Cantung
Fireweed Metals (from NICO)
Two large Canadian tungsten deposits; Mactung is one of the worlds largest known tungsten deposits
Government Support and Strategic Initiatives
Recognizing the strategic importance of Tungsten, governments in major consuming nations have launched programs to support project development. These include direct financing, loan guarantees, streamlined permitting, and bilateral resource partnerships. As a USGS-listed critical mineral, Tungsten projects are eligible for various U.S. government support mechanisms including the Defense Production Act Title III program. EU Critical Raw Materials Act provisions enable fast-track permitting and financing support for Tungsten projects within the EU and partner nations.
Key Industry Developments
Recent developments affecting the Tungsten project landscape:
Chinese tungsten export quotas and production controls began tightening, driving APT prices from $50/mtu to over $300/mtu by 2012
WTO ruling against Chinese rare earth export quotas (which also covered tungsten) led China to replace quotas with resource taxes and production caps
APT prices surged above $350/mtu driven by energy costs, Chinese production controls, and defense demand
China accounted for 82% of global tungsten mine production and an even higher share of APT processing, making it the most China-concentrated major metal by processing share
EU and US designated tungsten as a critical mineral; multiple Western mine restart projects received government support; Almontys Sangdong mine in South Korea neared production
More on Tungsten
Explore other aspects of the Tungsten value chain.
Uses & Applications
Explore uses & applications for Tungsten.
Supply Chain
Explore supply chain for Tungsten.
Mining & Processing
Explore mining & processing for Tungsten.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore refining & grade specs for Tungsten.
Recycling
Explore recycling for Tungsten.
Substitutes
Explore substitutes for Tungsten.
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