The conflict with Iran has depleted the United States’ arsenal, prompting Washington to actively seek out tungsten—a metal essential for the production of bombs, missiles, and other weapons. Currently, China controls 80% of the world’s tungsten reserves.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing NBC News.
The Importance of Tungsten and Dependence on China
Washington finds itself in a vulnerable position, as China controls over 80% of global production of this strategic metal. Tungsten is indispensable for national defense, as it is used in fighter jets, bunker-busting bombs, armor-piercing shells, and missile systems.
Since 2015, there have been no active commercial tungsten mines in the U.S., and the Donald Trump administration has set a goal of reducing dependence on Chinese supplies.
Where to Find Tungsten
One potential source of tungsten is located in the mountains of eastern South Korea—at a mine owned by an American company that holds millions of tons of tungsten ore.
“There are very few large tungsten mines on the planet,” noted Lewis Black, CEO of Almonty Industries. He spoke about the Sandong mine, which the company reopened in March after a hiatus of more than 30 years due to competition from China.
According to Black, tungsten has long been a “military metal.” Recently, it has become a “key metal” for the technology sector, used in semiconductors, batteries, and smartphones.
“Demand for tungsten will only grow. That’s why having a resilient supply chain is critically important,” he concluded.
