Top 10 Tungsten-p​roducing Countries | Nasdaq | Commodities

Tungsten’s significance in a big selection of industrial classes, from smartphones to car batteries, means demand is prone to rise. On the similar time, provide chain disruptions and elevated manufacturing prices are weighing on world provide, making it important to be taught in regards to the prime world tungsten producers.

Tungsten has many purposes. It is utilized in electrical wires, in addition to in welding, heavy steel alloys, turbine blades and as a lead substitute in bullets. The steel can be present in heating and electrical contacts.

Tungsten costs have traded upward lately, and the industry’s provide and demand dynamics are anticipated to push the steel greater in 2025 and past. Complete income for the tungsten market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth price of 8 % by means of 2024 to 2032 to achieve practically US$9.49 billion in worth.

With that in thoughts, it’s price being conscious of which international locations produce probably the most tungsten. In response to the US Geological Survey, world tungsten manufacturing got here in at 81,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024, up barely from 2023’s 79,500 MT. The overwhelming majority of tungsten mining and processing happens in China. Wanting ahead to 2025, elevated manufacturing is seen coming from mines in South Korea and Australia.

Right here’s an overview of tungsten manufacturing by nation in 2024, as per knowledge from the US Geological Survey.

1. China

Tungsten manufacturing: 67,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 2.4 million metric tons

In 2024, China produced 67,000 metric tons of tungsten, up by 1,000 MT from 2023. The nation is the world’s largest producer of the steel by a extensive margin, accounting for more than 80 % of whole annual tungsten output worldwide.

That mentioned, China’s tungsten manufacturing has been falling lately — the Asian nation has restricted the amount of tungsten-mining and export licenses it awards and has imposed quotas on tungsten focus manufacturing. The nation has additionally just lately elevated environmental inspections.

China has been the primary source of tungsten imported into the US since 2017, and the nation accounted for 27 % of US tungsten imports in 2024.

In response to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 10 % tariffs on imports from China in February 2025, the Authorities of China instantly introduced strict export controls on tungsten and 4 different key metals utilized in a number of important industries, together with protection. Tighter tungsten provide out of China might result in greater costs for the steel regardless of growing manufacturing from ex-China sources.

2. Vietnam

Tungsten manufacturing: 3,400 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 140,000 metric tons

Vietnam’s tungsten manufacturing in 2024 got here to three,400 metric tons, down by 100 MT from the earlier 12 months. Privately owned Masan Assets runs the Vietnam-based Nui Phao mine, which it says is the biggest tungsten-producing mine exterior China. Additionally it is one of the lowest-cost producers of tungsten within the world.

In 2024, Vietnam accounted for 8 % of US tungsten imports.

3. Russia

Tungsten manufacturing: 2,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 400,000 metric tons

Russia produced 2,000 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, on par with the previous couple of years. The struggle between Russia and Ukraine has hampered Russia’s capability to trade and make deliveries of tungsten to the world market because it continues to face sanctions. The Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mine is the biggest tungsten deposit within the nation and one of the biggest globally.

Russia is a important provider of the steel to Europe, however restrictions have elevated the continent’s dependency on Chinese language imports. On the similar time, the struggle is fueling tungsten demand given the steel’s use in ammunitions.

​4. North Korea

Tungsten manufacturing: 1,700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 29,000 metric tons

In 2024, North Korea produced 1,700 metric tons of tungsten manufacturing, up by 100 MT over the earlier 12 months. The Mannyŏn mine in North Hwanghae province is the nation’s largest tungsten mine. Its title means 10,000 years in reference to its huge reserves.

Tungsten ore is North Korea’s third highest export by worth, price practically US$26 million in 2023, with the bulk being consumed by China. Tungsten’s high spot in North Korea’s export market could also be due to the incontrovertible fact that it is one of the few metals not listed beneath UN sanctions on the nation’s trade.

5. Bolivia

Tungsten manufacturing: 1,600 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not out there

Bolivia’s tungsten manufacturing in 2024 was 1,600 metric tons, a gain of 100 MT over the earlier 12 months. The South American nation has elevated its tungsten manufacturing since 2014 as a consequence of strikes to advertise its tungsten industry. Bolivia accounted for 8 % of US tungsten imports in 2024.

The Bolivian mining industry is closely influenced by Comibol, a state-owned mining umbrella company.

6. Rwanda

Tungsten manufacturing: 1,200 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not out there

Rwanda produced 1,200 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, on par with 2023’s output. Tungsten is one of probably the most common battle minerals within the world, that means that at the very least some of it’s produced in struggle zones and is bought to perpetuate combating.

Whereas Rwanda has promoted itself as a source of conflict-free minerals, considerations stay about its tungsten output. However, it’s an important exporter of tungsten, accounting for 31 % of world tungsten trade in 2022.

One of the biggest tungsten producers in Rwanda is privately owned Trinity Metals, which owns the Nyakabingo tungsten ore mine. Trinity’s largest shareholder is UK-based non-public industrial company Techmet, which is working to secure a viable technology steel provide chain.

7. Australia

Tungsten manufacturing: 1,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 570,000 metric tons*

In 2024, Australia produced 1,000 metric tons of tungsten. This represents a more than 130 % leap in output from 2023 ranges, taking it from the ninth spot on the earlier 12 months’s record to rank seventh in world tungsten manufacturing for 2024.

There are a number of working tungsten mines in Australia. EQ Assets (ASX:EQR) is an Australian tungsten miner producing the steel at its Mount Carbine asset in North Queensland. On the island state of Tasmania, Group 6 Metals (ASX:G6M) introduced the historic Dolphin tungsten mine back into manufacturing in 2023. The island additionally accommodates non-public firm Tasmania Mines’ Kara tungsten mine

Tungsten tasks beneath development in Australia embody the Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum-copper project situated within the Northern Territory. Molyhil is a 75/25 three way partnership between Thor Vitality (LSE:THR,OTC Pink:THORF) and Investigator Assets (ASX:IVR). In response to Mining Database On-line (MDO), Investigator is working towards finishing a scoping research on Molyhil, primarily based on an up to date Could 2024 mineral useful resource estimate, within the first half of 2025.

One other company with Australia-based tungsten tasks is Tungsten Mining (ASX:TGN), whose properties embody Mount Mulgine, Massive Hill and Kilba in Western Australia, in addition to Watershed in Northeast Queensland and Hatches Creek within the Northern Territory.

* Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equal reserves have been 220,000 metric tons.

8. Austria

Tungsten manufacturing: 800 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 10,000 metric tons

Austria’s tungsten manufacturing in 2024 was 800 metric tons, down 50 MT from the earlier 12 months. A lot of that manufacturing might be attributed to Wolfram’s Mittersill mine, which is situated in Salzburg and hosts Europe’s largest tungsten deposit.

9. Spain

Tungsten manufacturing: 700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 66,000 metric tons

Spain produced 700 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, up 50 MT over the earlier 12 months.

There are a quantity of firms engaged within the exploration, development and mining of tungsten property in Spain. Australia’s EQ Assets, which acquired tungsten producer Saloro in 2023, now controls the Barruecopardo Mining and Processing operation. MDO stories that a program is underway to improve the plant and improve recoveries with completion anticipated by the tip of 2025.

As for Spanish tungsten property beneath development, Almonty Industries (TSX:AII,OTCQX:ALMTF) owns the permitting-phase Valtreixal tungsten-tin project.

10. Portugal

Tungsten manufacturing: 500 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 3,400 metric tons

In 2024, Portugal produced 500 metric tons in 2024, up by 50 MT from that produced within the earlier 12 months.

The European nation has the lowest-known tungsten reserves work out of all of the nations on this record, totaling simply 3,400 MT. Almonty Industries’ Panasqueira mine is Portugal’s largest tungsten-producing operation. “The Panasqueira Mine has some of the highest tungsten recovery rates in the industry, consistently averaging 80 (percent),” MDO states.

Don’t overlook to observe us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, maintain no direct investment curiosity in any company talked about on this article.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the creator and don’t essentially replicate these of Nasdaq, Inc.