South Korea Revives Tungsten Mine to Break China’s Grip on Supply

South Korea is reopening a long-closed tungsten mine in a bid to secure a supply of the critical metal without relying on China. Tungsten is a hard, dense metal essential for making military armor, cutting tools, and electronics. China currently controls more than 80% of the world’s tungsten production, raising concerns about supply security for other nations. 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. 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. 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.