South Korea Reopens Tungsten Mine to Break China's 80% Supply Stranglehold

South Korea Reopens Tungsten Mine to Break China's 80% Supply Stranglehold

South Korea is reopening a long-closed tungsten mine to secure a supply of the critical metal without relying on China, which currently controls more than 80% of global production.

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Tungsten is a hard, dense metal essential for making military armor, cutting tools, and electronics. The revived mine, located in the southeastern city of Sangdong, was once one of the world's largest tungsten producers before it shut down in the 1990s due to low prices [188643]. Now, rising demand and geopolitical tensions have made the project profitable again.

The mine's operator, Almonty Industries, expects to begin production in 2025. The company says the site holds enough tungsten to supply non-Chinese markets for decades [188643]. South Korea's government has also designated tungsten as a key strategic material, offering financial support to reduce dependency on a single supplier. The move aligns with a broader push by the United States, Japan, and Europe to secure alternative sources of critical minerals [188643].

This development comes as the United States pursues its own strategy to deny Beijing access to key commodities while redirecting supply chains. Washington has restarted diplomatic talks with Tajikistan after a four-year pause to reduce China's control over antimony, a mineral critical for military equipment and electronics [187463]. Analysts see a potential new security doctrine forming: using territorial control and strategic partnerships to block China's access to essential resources [188679].

The United States may be losing a direct contest with China for influence in Southeast Asia, but when U.S. allies are included in the equation, the American-led bloc still leads. This advantage requires Washington to strengthen ties with Northeast Asian partners like Japan and South Korea to maintain its position [183953].

Sources

South Korea Revives Tungsten Mine to Break China’s Grip on Supply #188643US Seeks Rare Mineral, Restarts Talks with Tajikistan #187463US Eyes Greenland Seafood Ban to Cut China Supply Chain #188679U.S. vs. China: Allies Give America the Edge in Southeast Asia #183953

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