Tungsten

Tungsten - A Critical Element - EU, US, UK, Canada

  • Tungsten (also known as Wolfram), is a Transition Metal chemical element with symbol (W) that has extreme physical characteristics including:

  • The highest tensile strength of any metal

  • The highest melting point of any metal

  • A density of 19.3, comparable to Uranium and Gold

  • Tungsten Monocarbide alloy  (WC) has a hardness close to that of diamond

  • These unique properties lead Tungsten to be used in a diverse range of applications including:

  • Engineering, Defence, Tooling (as WC), Oil & Gas Exploration, Minerals Exploration and Production, Medical Technology, Electronics, Power Engineering, Lighting, the generation of Very High Temperatures, Coating and Joining Technology, & Sports Technology

  • The principal application for Tungsten which comprises approximately 60% of global Tungsten consumption1 is in the production of cemented carbides also called hard metals, the main constituent of which is Tungsten Monocarbide (WC)

Global Statistics

  • Global consumption of Tungsten is around 100,000 tonnes per annum, comprised of approximately:

  • 75% from primary Sources

  • 25% from Secondary/Recycled Sources1

  • Mineral occurrences of Tungsten are most typically formed of deposits of Scheelite which form approximately two thirds of global tungsten mineral deposits

  • Mineral Resources and Reserves are commonly reported in percent Tungsten Tri-Oxide (WO3)

  • Typical Resources range in grade from 0.2% to 0.5% WO3

  • High Grade Resource range in grade from 0.5% to 1.5% WO3

  • China is the world’s largest producer accounting for 71,000 tonnes or 80% of global production2