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“China Mining” Mining Overview | Global Distribution Characteristics, Development and Utilization Patterns, and Prospects of Tungsten Mineral Resources
0
Introduction
The chemical symbol for tungsten is W, and its atomic number is 74. Tungsten is silvery-white in color and has a steel-like appearance; it is characterized by high hardness and a very high melting point of 3,410°C, and exhibits relatively stable physical and chemical properties at room temperature. To date, more than 20 tungsten minerals and tungsten-bearing minerals have been identified, but the primary mineral of industrial significance is wolframite ((Fe,Mn) WO 4 ) and scheelite (CaWO 4 ), of which wolframite accounts for approximately 30% of the world’s total tungsten resources, while scheelite accounts for about 70%. Tungsten has a wide range of applications and is an indispensable strategic critical metal for modern high-end manufacturing. Tungsten carbide Tungsten is one of the most important tungsten products, primarily used in the production of cemented carbides and often referred to as the “teeth of modern industry.” Today, tungsten and its related products are widely employed in defense and military industries, aerospace, electronic information, automobile manufacturing, petrochemical energy, photovoltaics, and other sectors, serving as a critical link that underpins the development of the nation’s entire industrial system. Owing to its scarcity, superior properties, and irreplaceability, tungsten has been recognized since the 20th century as a strategic and critical mineral, attracting widespread global attention. In 2016, China designated tungsten as one of the 24 strategic minerals outlined in the National Mineral Resources Plan (2016–2020); in 2022, the United States included tungsten among the 50 critical minerals on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Critical Minerals List; in 2020, the European Union listed tungsten as one of the 29 critical raw materials in the EU Critical Raw Materials List; and in 2015, Japan classified tungsten as one of the 22 strategic minerals identified in the Metal Criticality Assessment within Japan’s Resource Strategy. As of the end of 2022, China ranked first in the world in both tungsten ore reserves and resources, while also playing the dual role of the largest demander and the largest consumer in the global tungsten value chain. For many years, China has consistently been the world’s largest importer of tungsten concentrates and the largest consumer of tungsten products. Therefore, conducting research on the distribution characteristics and development and utilization of tungsten resources in China and globally is of great significance for exploring future directions in the sustainable use of tungsten resources.
Scholars have already conducted research on the development and utilization of China’s tungsten resources. Yuan Bo et al. argue that the high intensity of tungsten mining and rapid consumption are gradually eroding China’s competitive advantage in this resource, and they propose a basic framework for planning reserves of tungsten ore deposits. Li Xiaoyu et al. put forward relevant policies and recommendations for the sustainable development of tungsten resources. Tang Pingzhi et al., from a trade perspective, suggest that China’s tungsten industry should further shift toward higher value-added, deep-processing sectors. Xi Yan et al. analyze the roles played by major global countries in the tungsten industrial chain from a supply-chain standpoint. Qiu Weiwei et al. offer recommendations on the protection and security of China’s tungsten mineral resources. This paper examines the global distribution patterns of tungsten mineral resources, integrates an analysis of upstream trade in tungsten ore sand and concentrates as well as midstream trade in smelting products, explores the current landscape of tungsten resource development and utilization, and provides recommendations for ensuring the secure and sustainable development of tungsten resources.
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Characteristics of the Global Distribution of Tungsten Mineral Resources
1.1 Types and Distribution Characteristics of Tungsten Deposits
Based on the genetic classification of tungsten deposits, Chinese scholars have divided them into four major categories: magmatic tungsten deposits, sedimentary tungsten deposits, (volcanic) sedimentary–metamorphic–alteration–derived tungsten deposits, and weathering–residual tungsten deposits. On this basis, 13 subcategories have been further delineated according to the ore-forming geological characteristics and mineralization processes of tungsten deposits. The principal genetic types include skarn-type, greisen-type, porphyry-type, quartz-vein-type, pegmatite-type, breccia-type, and stratiform-controlled type. Skarn-type tungsten deposits are primarily characterized by the occurrence of scheelite; their genesis is closely associated with intermediate-to-felsic magmatic rocks, with ore bodies hosted in the contact zones between carbonate country rocks and granitic intrusions, where skarnization is well developed. Mineralization is generally uniform, ore grades are relatively low, but deposit sizes are large, often giving rise to extensive ore districts. This type ranks among the most important tungsten deposit types both in China and worldwide. Quartz Vein-Type Tungsten Deposit The deposit is primarily hosted by wolframite and is genetically associated with S-type granites. The ore bodies are situated within the contact zones of the plutonic body and are structurally controlled, commonly occurring as vein-like to sub-vein-like occurrences. The ore grades are high, with abundant high-grade mineralization.
From a geographical distribution perspective, global tungsten resources are highly unevenly distributed, with the majority concentrated in Pacific Rim Metallogenic Belt These two major metallogenic belts—the Alpine–Himalayan and the Circum-Pacific—exhibit distinct patterns of tungsten deposit distribution. Along the Circum-Pacific Metallogenic Belt, tungsten deposits are distributed in a discontinuous, asymmetrical semicircular arc that stretches along the eastern and western coasts of the Pacific Ocean and its associated island chains, encompassing regions such as Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, South China and North China in China, the Russian Far East, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Alaska and the western United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. In contrast, tungsten deposits in the Alpine–Himalayan Metallogenic Belt are predominantly found in Portugal, Spain, Austria, southern Russia, Kazakhstan, and northwest China. According to incomplete statistics, two-thirds of the world’s large and superlarge tungsten deposits are located in Asia, while one-third are in North America and Europe. Among these, China accounts for approximately 58.3% of the global total of large and superlarge tungsten deposits, followed by Russia, Canada, and the United States.
Typical large-to-very-large tungsten deposits in China include the Zhuxi Tungsten Mine and the Dahutang Tungsten Mine, Shizhuyuan Tungsten Mine , Malipo Tungsten Mine, Sandaozhuang Molybdenum-Tungsten Mine, Xingluokeng Tungsten Mine, Xintianling Tungsten Mine and so on. China has identified approximately 252 tungsten ore occurrences, with the main deposit types being skarn, quartz vein, and porphyry deposits. Among these, scheelite is predominantly associated with skarn-type deposits, while wolframite is mainly found in quartz-vein deposits. Tungsten ores are generally low-grade and exhibit complex mineralogical compositions: scheelite accounts for 68.7%, wolframite for 20.9%, and mixed-type deposits for 10.4%. Notably, high-grade scheelite deposits are relatively scarce and typically low in grade, whereas high-grade wolframite deposits are more abundant; mixed scheelite–wolframite deposits are often associated with other minerals. Typical tungsten deposits within the United States include the Pine Creek tungsten mine, a quintessential skarn-type deposit; in Russia, representative deposits comprise the Primorsky and Lermontov tungsten mines, where the primary ore mineral is scheelite; and in Canada, notable deposits include the Cantung scheelite mine, the Mactung scheelite mine, and the Sisson tungsten–molybdenum mine. In addition, well-known overseas tungsten deposits include the Boguty tungsten mine in Kazakhstan, the Tasmania King Island tungsten mine in Australia, the Nui Phao tungsten polymetallic mine in Vietnam, the Mittersill tungsten mine in Austria, the Hemer Don tin–tungsten mine in the United Kingdom, the Barruecopardo tungsten mine and the La Parrilla tungsten–tin mine in Spain, and the Sang Dong tungsten mine in South Korea, among others.
1.2 Reservoir Distribution Characteristics
According to data from the China Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), global tungsten reserves reached 4.345 million tonnes of metal in 2022. The global distribution of tungsten resources is highly uneven: by continent, Asia holds the largest reserves at 2.505 million tonnes, accounting for approximately 57.7% of the global total; followed by Europe with 510,000 tonnes, or about 11.7%; then the Americas (both South and North America) with 483,000 tonnes, representing roughly 11.1%; and Oceania, where most tungsten resources are concentrated in Australia, with reserves of 160,000 tonnes, or about 3.7%. In comparison with other continents, Africa has relatively limited tungsten resources.
From a national and regional perspective, global tungsten reserves are predominantly concentrated in 11 major tungsten-resource countries: China, Russia, Canada, Australia, the United States, Vietnam, Spain, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, North Korea, and Austria, accounting for a combined 84.2% of the world’s total reserves. China, Russia, and Canada are the three countries with the richest tungsten resources, together holding 70.6% of global tungsten reserves. Specifically, China’s tungsten reserves stand at 2.376 million tonnes, representing 54.7% of the global total; Russia’s reserves amount to 400,000 tonnes, or 9.2%; and Canada’s reserves total 290,000 tonnes, or 6.7%. In addition, Australia’s tungsten reserves are 160,000 tonnes, accounting for 3.7%; the United States’ reserves are 140,000 tonnes, or 3.2%; and Vietnam’s reserves are 100,000 tonnes, or 2.3% (Figure 1(a)).
Figure 1: Global and Chinese Tungsten Resource Reserves Distribution
According to the 2022 National Mineral Resource Reserves Statistics, Jiangxi Province holds 1.343 million tonnes of tungsten reserves, accounting for 56.5% of the national total; Hunan Province has 472,000 tonnes, representing 19.9%; Henan Province holds 138,000 tonnes, or 5.8%; the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has 85,000 tonnes, corresponding to 3.6%; the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region holds 81,000 tonnes, or 3.4%; Fujian Province has 69,000 tonnes, accounting for 2.9%; and Guangdong Province holds 48,000 tonnes, representing 2.0%. China’s tungsten resources are highly concentrated, with the combined reserves of Jiangxi, Hunan, and Henan Provinces accounting for 82.2% of the national total. In addition to these provinces, Yunnan, Heilongjiang, Gansu, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Qinghai also possess significant tungsten reserves (Figure 1(b)).
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Global Tungsten Ore Resource Production
From 2018 to 2022, global tungsten concentrate production remained stable at around 80,000 tonnes. China is the world’s leading supplier of tungsten concentrate, accounting for approximately 80% of global output; other major producing countries include Russia, Spain, Rwanda, Bolivia, Mongolia, Vietnam, and North Korea. In 2022, China’s tungsten concentrate output reached 65,000 tonnes, representing 83.2% of global production, followed by Vietnam and Russia, with shares of 6.1% and 2.9%, respectively. During the period from 2018 to 2022, China’s share of global tungsten concentrate production steadily increased (Table 1).
Table 1: Global Tungsten Concentrate Production by Major Countries/Regions, 2018–2022
China’s tungsten concentrate production is relatively concentrated, primarily in Jiangxi Province, Hunan Province, and Fujian Province. Four major mines—the Shizhuyuan Tungsten Mine, Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Xintianling Tungsten Mine, and Yuanjing Tungsten Mine—are located in Hunan Province. Among them, the Shizhuyuan super-large tungsten polymetallic deposit boasts tungsten reserves of 596,000 tonnes (WO 3 ), with scheelite as the dominant tungsten mineral type; in 2022, tungsten concentrate production reached 7,000 tonnes. The Yaogangxian large tungsten deposit has tungsten reserves of 146,000 tonnes (WO 3 ), with wolframite and scheelite as the main ore types; in 2022, the output was 3,000 tonnes of black tungsten concentrate and 4,000 tonnes of white tungsten concentrate. At the Xintianling Tungsten Mine and the Yuanjing Tungsten Mine, the primary ore type is also scheelite. The Xianglushan Tungsten Mine and the Duchang Jinding Tungsten Mine are located in Jiangxi Province, where scheelite is the dominant ore type; their respective tungsten concentrate outputs in 2022 were 4,100 tonnes and 3,500 tonnes. The Ninghua Xingluokeng Tungsten Mine is situated in Fujian Province, with both wolframite and scheelite as ore types; in 2022, it produced 4,700 tonnes of tungsten concentrate (Table 2).
Table 2: 2022 Global Tungsten Mine Production (Capacity) by Major Countries
Apart from China, the world’s major operating tungsten mines are mainly located in Vietnam, Spain, and Australia. The Nui Phao polymetallic tungsten mine in Vietnam has tungsten reserves of 119,000 tonnes (WO 3 ), with a tungsten concentrate production capacity of 4,800 tonnes in 2022; the Barruecopardo tungsten mine in Spain has tungsten reserves of 26,000 tonnes (WO 3 ), with a tungsten concentrate production capacity of 2,080 tonnes in 2022; the La Parrilla tungsten mine in Spain has tungsten reserves of 28,000 tonnes ( WO 3 ), with a tungsten concentrate production capacity of 1,650 tonnes in 2022; the Dolphin tungsten mine in Australia has tungsten reserves of 23,000 tonnes (WO 3 ), with a tungsten concentrate production capacity of 1,200 t in 2022 (Table 2).
According to incomplete statistics, several countries are actively developing tungsten mines; the Hemerdon tungsten mine in the United Kingdom is a bankrupt mine undergoing reconstruction, with tungsten reserves of 64,000 tonnes (WO 3 ), with a designed tungsten concentrate production capacity of 3,500 t/a; the Sangdong Tungsten Mine in South Korea is designed for a tungsten concentrate production capacity of 2,500 t/a; the Boguty Tungsten Mine in Kazakhstan has tungsten reserves of 285,000 t (WO 3 ), with a designed tungsten concentrate production capacity of 1,000 t/a (Table 2).
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Global Consumption and Trade of Tungsten Mineral Resources
3.1 Global Tungsten Resource Consumption
Global tungsten consumption has grown only modestly: in 1974, total global consumption stood at 83,000 tonnes, with the major consuming countries—including the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Japan, and more than ten other nations and regions—accounting for 91% of the world’s total. By 2019, global tungsten consumption had risen to 98,000 tonnes, with China accounting for 57% of the global total, followed by the European Union at 16%, the United States at 11%, and Japan at 8%. According to data from the China Tungsten Industry Association, in 2022 global tungsten consumption reached 108,000 tonnes, with China’s share at 63,000 tonnes, or 58.3% of the global total; the European Union accounted for 15%, the United States for 10%, and Japan for 7%. It is thus evident that global tungsten consumption and utilization are relatively concentrated among a small number of countries and regions, primarily Europe, the United States, Japan, and China, whose combined consumption accounts for roughly 90% of the world’s total.
The tungsten industry chain primarily comprises the upstream resource segment, the midstream smelting segment, and the downstream processing segment (Figure 2). The upstream segment includes mineral exploration, mining, and ore beneficiation, culminating in the production of tungsten concentrate. The midstream segment is mainly engaged in the production of ferrotungsten, ammonium paratungstate, sodium tungstate, tungsten powder, and tungsten carbide, involving the smelting of tungsten concentrate into ammonium paratungstate followed by the preparation of tungsten powder; this process specifically includes steps such as tungsten concentrate decomposition, purification of tungsten compounds, and tungsten powder production. The downstream segment focuses on the deep processing and value-added manufacturing of finished products: tungsten powder derived from ammonium paratungstate and tungsten oxide is primarily used for producing cemented carbides and tungsten-based materials, ferrotungsten is incorporated into alloy steels, sodium tungstate is largely employed in catalyst production, and cemented carbides are mainly utilized to manufacture cutting tools, wear-resistant tools, and engineering tools.
Figure 2: Tungsten Industry Chain
The trade in upstream tungsten ore and concentrate, as well as midstream smelting products, can to a certain extent reflect global tungsten consumption and utilization. From 2018 to 2022, the countries and regions with the largest import demand for tungsten ore and concentrate included the United States, China, Vietnam, Russia, India, the Netherlands, and South Korea. During this period, China and the United States significantly outpaced other countries and regions such as Vietnam, the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, and India in terms of import value, with imports totaling approximately US$126 million and US$344 million, respectively. Tungsten consumption is heavily influenced by global economic and industrial development; during 2020–2021, it declined relative to previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2022, as China’s economy and industrial activity rebounded, tungsten consumption also increased (Table 3).
Table 3: Importing Countries/Regions of Major Tungsten Ore and Tungsten Concentrate Globally, 2018–2022
3.2 Overview of Global Tungsten Resource Trade
In 2022, global trade in tungsten ore and concentrates totaled 5,242 metric tons (in terms of tungsten metal; the same applies hereinafter). China was the largest importer, with imports amounting to 3,009 metric tons, accounting for 57.4% of total global imports. The United States ranked second, importing 1,770 metric tons, or 33.8% of the global total. Of China’s imports, 50.1% originated from North Korea, 13.6% from Myanmar, and the remaining shares were distributed as follows: Bolivia 7.4%, Spain 6.7%, Rwanda 6.5%, Thailand 5.1%, and Vietnam 4.0%. For the United States, 49.4% of its imports came from Bolivia, 19.5% from Russia, and 16.1% from Portugal. Among exporting countries and regions, North Korea and Bolivia were the top two exporters, with exports of 1,506.8 metric tons and 1,098.0 metric tons, respectively, representing 28.7% and 20.9% of global exports of tungsten ore and concentrates. Other major exporters included Myanmar at 409.3 metric tons (7.8%), Russia at 375.6 metric tons (7.2%), and Spain at 305.6 metric tons (5.8%). Together, the top five exporters accounted for a combined 3,695.3 metric tons, or approximately 70.4% of total global exports (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Global Trade Structure of Tungsten Ore Sand and Concentrates in 2022 (Metal Content)
In 2022, global trade in ammonium paratungstate totaled 4,095 tonnes (expressed in tungsten metal content; the same applies hereinafter). China was the largest exporter, with exports of 1,713 tonnes, accounting for 41.8% of global ammonium paratungstate exports. The main destinations were the Netherlands (854.1 tonnes, 49.9%), Japan (657.8 tonnes, 38.4%), and Germany (140.0 tonnes, 8.2%). Other major exporting countries included Vietnam (16.8%), the Philippines (16.7%), Germany (11.5%), and the Netherlands (9.6%). The United States was the world’s largest importer of ammonium paratungstate, with imports totaling 1,685.3 tonnes, representing 41.2% of global imports. Japan imported 866.9 tonnes, China 728.9 tonnes, France 421.0 tonnes, and Denmark 202.3 tonnes. Together, the top five importing countries accounted for 3,904.4 tonnes, or approximately 95.4% of total global imports (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Global Ammonium Paratungstate Trade Structure in 2022 (Metal Content)
Tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powder are the primary raw materials in the downstream, high-value-added segments of the tungsten industry chain. In 2022, global trade in tungsten powder totaled 6,621 metric tons (expressed in tungsten metal content; the same applies hereafter), with China accounting for 2,318 metric tons of total exports, or approximately 35.0% of the global total. South Korea, the United States, and Japan are the main destinations for Chinese tungsten powder exports, with South Korea receiving 39.3%, the United States 20.9%, and Japan 19.7%. Other major exporting countries include Austria at 17.7%, Canada at 15.1%, the Czech Republic at 8.6%, and South Korea at 8.2%. The United States is the world’s largest importer of tungsten powder, with imports totaling 2,636.5 metric tons, representing 39.8% of the global total. Germany imported 846.8 metric tons, Japan 619.7 metric tons, the Czech Republic 517.8 metric tons, and France 386.0 metric tons. Together, the top five importing countries accounted for 5,006.8 metric tons, or about 75.6% of total global imports (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Global Tungsten Powder Trade Structure in 2022 (Metal Content)
In 2022, the global trade volume of tungsten carbide powder amounted to 13,066 tonnes (expressed in terms of tungsten metal; the same applies hereinafter). China was the largest exporter, with exports totaling 5,125 tonnes, accounting for 39.2% of global tungsten carbide powder exports. The main destinations were Japan (1,689.7 tonnes, 33.0%), South Korea (1,196.2 tonnes, 23.3%), Germany (866.6 tonnes, 16.9%), the United States (516.1 tonnes, 10.1%), and Canada (420.8 tonnes, 8.2%). Other major exporting countries included Austria (20.8%), South Africa (10.9%), Portugal (4.8%), and Luxembourg (3.7%). Argentina was the world’s largest importer of tungsten carbide powder, with imports totaling 1,932.5 tonnes, representing 14.8% of global imports. Australia imported 1,735.2 tonnes, Japan 1,689.4 tonnes, Angola 1,254.3 tonnes, Austria 1,250.4 tonnes, and South Korea 1,196.9 tonnes. Together, the top six importing countries accounted for a combined 9,058.7 tonnes, or approximately 69.4% of total global imports (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Global Tungsten Carbide Powder Trade Structure in 2022 (by Metal Content)
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Outlook
China is a major producer of tungsten resources, accounting for 54.7% of global reserves in 2022; yet with only about half of the world’s tungsten reserves, it supplies 83.2% of global tungsten concentrate output. At the same time, to ensure the rational exploration and development of China’s tungsten resources, the country has maintained relatively stable total mining quotas for tungsten concentrate over many years. According to data from the China Tungsten Industry Association, as of the end of 2022, there were 10 tungsten mines in China that had been in operation for 100 years or more, and the average grade of ore processed declined from 0.42% in 2004 to 0.28% in 2022. As high-grade, high-quality wolframite resources have been heavily depleted, the exploitation and utilization of low-grade scheelite and mixed tungsten ores have continued to expand, which has not only increased the difficulty of mining and beneficiation but also driven up the production costs of tungsten concentrate. Looking ahead, if the share of low-grade scheelite in total consumption continues to rise, production costs could further increase, posing a significant challenge to the future supply of tungsten concentrate.
The global tungsten trade landscape is currently relatively stable, with China primarily importing tungsten concentrates and exporting intermediate products. Developed countries such as the United States, Europe, and Japan import raw materials like tungsten concentrates and ammonium paratungstate, process them, and then export high-tech, high-value-added tungsten products. Typical Chinese companies involved in the tungsten industry include CITIC Tungsten High-Tech, Xiamen Tungsten, Zhangyuan Tungsten, Xianglu Tungsten, and Luoyang Molybdenum, among others, covering the entire tungsten value chain—from upstream tungsten concentrates and midstream ammonium paratungstate to downstream tungsten materials and cemented carbide products. In 2022, China’s production of ammonium paratungstate accounted for 74.4% of the global total, while its output of tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powder represented 71%–74% of the world’s total, making China the largest producer and exporter of midstream tungsten products globally. China’s tungsten exports have shifted from primary raw materials such as tungsten concentrates to intermediate products like ammonium paratungstate, tungsten powder, and tungsten carbide powder, as well as raw materials for further processing, thereby improving the export mix and driving the optimization and upgrading of China’s tungsten industry structure, with the share of high-end tungsten product exports steadily increasing.
Kennametal Inc., a leading U.S. company in the tungsten industry, primarily produces tungsten powder and downstream cemented carbide products; Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. focuses on processing tungsten concentrates and recovering and reusing secondary resources, with its product portfolio including tungsten powder and tungsten-containing materials for aerospace and defense applications. Given the limited number of operating tungsten mines in the United States, the country relies heavily on imports for its tungsten supply. In the European Union, Sandvik and ISCAR are prominent tungsten-related firms, with core businesses encompassing specialty alloys, mining equipment, and cemented carbide products. In Japan, key tungsten players include Sumitomo Electric Industries, OSG Corporation, and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, whose primary tungsten-related operations involve tungsten materials, threading tools, and cemented carbides. Due to Japan’s scarce domestic tungsten reserves, the country is likewise dependent on imports for its tungsten supply.
Currently, the global supply of tungsten comprises two main components: primary tungsten concentrate accounts for 76% of the total, of which 66% is final tungsten product and 10% consists of recycled waste generated during production; the remaining 24% represents the utilization of secondary tungsten resources, such as recovered scrap cemented carbides, tungsten materials, alloy steels, and tungsten contact materials. To ensure a secure supply of tungsten raw materials, numerous Western companies involved in the tungsten industry are actively developing upstream tungsten mines while simultaneously expanding the secondary recycling and reuse of tungsten resources. According to data from the International Tungsten Industry Association, in developed Western countries, the share of recycled tungsten in total consumption has already exceeded 40%, thereby reducing reliance on primary tungsten resources and posing new challenges for the future of global tungsten trade.
To maintain and consolidate China’s position as a major tungsten resource holder and to achieve sustainable development, a series of effective measures must be implemented.
1) Strengthen exploration for tungsten mineral resources. China enjoys favorable geological conditions for tungsten mineralization, and in recent years has continuously achieved new breakthroughs in prospecting in tungsten-rich provinces such as Jiangxi and Hunan, demonstrating promising prospects for further exploration. Under the impetus of the new round of strategic action to achieve breakthroughs in mineral exploration, intensified exploration for tungsten resources should be carried out in key prospecting areas, with the aim of achieving even greater advances, increasing tungsten reserves, and promoting the sustainable development of China’s tungsten resources. At the same time, active cooperation with foreign countries (or regions) rich in tungsten resources should be pursued in the exploration and development of these resources, so as to ensure the security of the global tungsten supply.
2) Promote scientific and technological innovation. The development of China’s tungsten industry is inseparable from continuous innovation in tungsten mining and smelting technologies. It is essential to strengthen technological innovation in tungsten mining, smelting, and processing to improve ore recovery and metal recovery rates. China has initially established a system for the recycling and utilization of secondary tungsten resources; however, there is still a gap compared with international advanced levels. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify innovation and development in secondary tungsten resource recovery and utilization technologies, thereby enhancing resource utilization efficiency, reducing production costs, and minimizing environmental pollution.
3) Optimize the industrial structure. China plays a significant role in global tungsten trade; however, its exports are still dominated by tungsten intermediates and low-end metal products. As China’s position in the tungsten value chain continues to strengthen, it should actively engage in competition and cooperation in the international tungsten market, thereby driving the optimization and upgrading of China’s tungsten industrial structure, enhancing the added value of the sector, and boosting its international competitiveness.
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