South Korean Mine Revived to Supply U.S. with Vital Tungsten

Created at 1 Jul · 9:15 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant

IN SHORT

A South Korean tungsten mine, owned by Canadian company Almonty Industries, has been revived to challenge China's dominance in the critical mineral market. The U.S. is seeking alternative supply sources for tungsten, essential for defense and technology.

Key Numbers

80%China's global tungsten production share

20th centurySangdong mine's discovery and early operations

30%Sangdong mine's past contribution to South Korea's GDP

30 yearsTime since Sangdong mine shut down before reopening

6,000 metric tonsAnnual U.S. processed tungsten imports

Who's Involved

Almonty Industries

Canadian mining company operating the Sangdong tungsten mine

Lewis Black

CEO of Almonty Industries, advocating for tungsten supply

Steve Allen

Chief Operating Officer of Almonty Industries

U.S. government officials

Engaged in securing tungsten supply from Almonty Industries

China

Dominant global supplier of tungsten and critical minerals

South Korean Mine Revived to Supply U.S. with Vital Tungsten

↳ Why This Matters

The revival of the Sangdong mine is critical for the U.S. to secure a stable supply of tungsten, a metal vital for national defense and advanced technologies, thereby reducing dependence on China and mitigating geopolitical risks associated with supply chain control.

Key facts

The Sangdong mine in South Korea, owned by Almonty Industries, is being revived to supply tungsten to the U.S.
Tungsten is a critical mineral essential for U.S. defense applications, including munitions and advanced weaponry.
China currently dominates the global tungsten market, producing over 80% of the world's supply.
Almonty Industries has secured a deal to supply tungsten to meet U.S. security needs.
The mine has a long history, with operations dating back to the early 20th century.

The revival of the Sangdong tungsten mine in South Korea, operated by Canadian firm Almonty Industries, aims to reduce global reliance on China for this critical mineral. Tungsten, known for its high melting point and density, is indispensable for U.S. defense applications, including advanced weaponry, armor-piercing rounds, and AI-guided missile systems. China currently controls over 80% of the world's tungsten supply, a dominance that has prompted the U.S. to seek alternative sources. Lewis Black, CEO of Almonty Industries, has met with U.S. officials and secured a deal to supply tungsten for American security needs. The Sangdong mine, with a history dating back to 1906, was once a significant contributor to South Korea's GDP before closing due to competition from China. Its reopening is seen as crucial for diversifying supply chains and ensuring access to this vital metal.

Frequently asked questions

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any element and is essential for defense applications like munitions, armor, and missile guidance systems, as well as for technology sectors including semiconductors and batteries.

China dominates the global tungsten industry, producing over 80% of the world's supply and using more than half of it. This has led to concerns about supply chain security for other nations.

Tungsten was discovered at the Sangdong site in 1906. It was mined by a Japanese company during WWII and later became a significant part of South Korea's economy, accounting for 30% of its GDP at one point, before closing due to Chinese competition.

Tungsten mining is difficult due to the metal's properties, and the process can generate hazardous waste and disrupt local ecosystems, which may deter operations in some regions.

What Happens Next

01The Sangdong mine processing plant is undergoing final tests before full commissioning.

02Almonty Industries will begin supplying tungsten to meet U.S. security needs.

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How It Developed

China has dominated the critical minerals industry for decades.

The U.S. is seeking alternative supply options for critical minerals.

Almonty Industries CEO Lewis Black toured the Sangdong mine in South Korea.

Almonty Industries signed a deal to supply tungsten for U.S. security needs.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any element and is vital for defense.

The Sangdong mine was first discovered in 1906 and used by Japan in WWII.

The mine returned to Korean control after WWII and significantly impacted the economy.

The U.S. has no active commercial tungsten mines since 2015.

Sources

The South Korean Mine at the Center of America’s Tungsten PushThe New York Times

As China dominates in critical minerals, U.S. secures source of ...cbsnews.com

China controls a metal that's key for the Iran war, sending the U.S. on ...nbcnews.com