U.S. Secures Critical War Metal from Unlikely Source: A South Korean Mountain

A new source for a metal vital to U.S. defense and technology is being developed inside a mountain in South Korea. This move is a direct effort to reduce American reliance on China, which currently dominates the global supply. The mineral is tungsten. It is essential for making military equipment, cutting tools, and electronics. Its hardness and high melting point make it difficult to replace. The project revives an old tungsten mine in South Korea called Sangdong. A U.S.-based company, Almonty Industries, is leading the work. The aim is to make the mine a major non-Chinese supplier for the United States and its allies. The push is part of a larger U.S. strategy. The goal is to find secure and diverse sources for critical minerals. Tungsten is on the U.S. government's official list of these strategic materials. The Sangdong mine is expected to begin full production by the end of 2025. Once operational, it could supply approximately 30% of the world's tungsten demand outside of China.