- AustraliaNorth AmericaWorld
Investing News NetworkYour trusted source for investing success
- Lithium Outlook
- Oil and Gas Outlook
- Gold Outlook Report
- Uranium Outlook
- Rare Earths Outlook
- All Outlook Reports
- Top Generative AI Stocks
- Top EV Stocks
- Biggest AI Companies
- Biggest Blockchain Stocks
- Biggest Cryptocurrency-mining Stocks
- Biggest Cybersecurity Companies
- Biggest Robotics Companies
- Biggest Social Media Companies
- Biggest Technology ETFs
- Artificial Intellgience ETFs
- Robotics ETFs
- Canadian Cryptocurrency ETFs
- Artificial Intelligence Outlook
- EV Outlook
- Cleantech Outlook
- Crypto Outlook
- Tech Outlook
- All Market Outlook Reports
- Cannabis Weekly Round-Up
- Top Alzheimer's Treatment Stocks
- Top Biotech Stocks
- Top Plant-based Food Stocks
- Biggest Cannabis Stocks
- Biggest Pharma Stocks
- Longevity Stocks to Watch
- Psychedelics Stocks to Watch
- Top Cobalt Stocks
- Small Biotech ETFs to Watch
- Top Life Science ETFs
- Biggest Pharmaceutical ETFs
- Life Science Outlook
- Biotech Outlook
- Cannabis Outlook
- Pharma Outlook
- Psychedelics Outlook
- All Market Outlook Reports
EQR Acquires Leading European Tungsten Producer, Saloro S.L.U., And Secures $25 Million Investment By Oaktree
EQ Resources Limited is the 100% owner of the Mt Carbine Tungsten Mine near Cairns, Australia’s leading primary tungsten producer.
EQ Resources Limited (“EQR” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has agreed binding terms through signing of a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to acquire a 100% interest in Saloro S.L.U., Spain (“Saloro”) from Tungsten Mining JV S.L.U., Spain, (“Tungsten Mining”), a portfolio company of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. ("Oaktree") (“Transaction”).
Highlights:
- EQR agreed binding terms to acquire leading European tungsten producer Saloro S.L.U. from global investment manager, Oaktree
- Transformational acquisition strengthens EQR’s relevance in the global tungsten industry and enhances the Company’s capital market positioning
- As part of the transaction, Oaktree invests $25 million into EQR, through the subscription of 278 million new ordinary shares at $0.09 per share (representing a ~30% premium to the 15 days VWAP)
- Through the combination of operations, EQR becomes the largest tungsten concentrate producer in the Western World, with a robust growth pipeline across two top-tier mining jurisdictions
- The transaction remains subject to various closing conditions, incl. the approval of foreign direct investment agencies both in Australia and Spain
As part of the Transaction, Oaktree will subscribe for 278 million new ordinary shares (“Subscription Shares”) in the Company at an issue price of $0.09 per share (representing a ~30% premium to the 15 days VWAP), amounting to an investment of $25 million. As a result, Oaktree will become a substantial shareholder in EQR with a holding of 15.86% (calculated as of the day of SPA signing) at completion of the Transaction. Oaktree will receive 78 million options, with an exercise price of $0.10 per share, exercisable during the period of 2 years following the date of completion of the SPA (“Options”).
EQR’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kevin MacNeill, commented: "This is without doubt an outstanding development and a transformational acquisition for EQR that delivers a huge value opportunity for shareholders. We continue building a robust growth pipeline with the addition of the Saloro operation and considering the exploration ground around the Barruecopardo mine is covering prospective historical workings. Saloro has a great management team which built and commissioned a mine during rough times of Covid and now coming to a stage of sustainable production growth. Our technical and geology teams assessed this opportunity in the recent months and with the installation of their first Tomra XRT sorter we can provide technical assistance to our new colleagues at Saloro to immediately optimise production.”
“We are delighted Oaktree agrees and supports the value proposition of the expanded operation across two jurisdictions through their investment in EQR at a significant premium, demonstrating commitment to the forthcoming value creation journey. We look forward to having a high-profile globally significant fund such as Oaktree, who has been an excellent owner to Saloro, join our share register and support EQR to expand its footprint and strategic positioning in the global tungsten supply chain. We feel this relationship is accretive to our shareholders”, Mr MacNeill said.
Mr Federico Alvarez-Demalde, Managing Director at Oaktree, commented: “We are excited to have selected EQR as partner to acquire Saloro. EQR is a remarkable partner that shares our operational excellence and ESG values, committed to responsible and sustainable practices. This partnership reinforces our conviction about the incredible opportunity presented in the tungsten supply space, and the need to secure sustainable and ESG focused critical metals supply chains. In that capacity, we have found in EQR an excellent team which demonstrated the ability to create lasting value while positively impacting society and the environment.”
STRATEGIC RATIONALE
Through the acquisition of Saloro, EQR adds the leading European tungsten producing mine to its project portfolio, which aligns with the Company’s corporate strategy to become a substantial and globally leading supplier of sustainably produced critical minerals. The expanded scale of operation will further strengthen EQR’s relevance within the global tungsten industry and will enhance the Company’s capital market positioning.
The Transaction provides EQR’s shareholders an exposure to two geographically diverse tungsten operations across top-tier mining jurisdictions and a re-rating opportunity due to enhanced production scale and exploration upside within the exploration permits at Mt. Carbine and Barruecopardo.
Both assets have been de-risked in recent years, now being in an early production stage having a well- established and even complementary customer base with tungsten downstream players in Asia, Europe and North America. Both operations under a combined leadership and complementary expertise will provide cost- saving as well as significant operational synergies. Saloro is in the process of integrating highly efficient XRT Sorters into the process circuit, an area of core competence of EQR. At the same time EQR is currently preparing the ramping up of the Mt Carbine Open Pit Operation, an exercise that Saloro has gone through over the last 3 years as part of their reactivation of the historic Barruecopardo mine.
BACKGROUND ON SALORO S.L.U.
Saloro is a Spanish company dedicated to the production and marketing of tungsten, an industrial metal with a wide range of applications, which the European Union recognizes as a ‘Critical Raw Material’. With a 30-year (renewable) mining license Saloro’s flagship producing asset is the Barruecopardo mine located in the Spanish Province of Salamanca.Barruecopardo has a mining history dating back almost 100 years. Historic activities ceased at the old mine in the early 1980s. After 10 years of preparation including a 15-month construction period, Saloro brought the Barruecopardo mine back online in early 2019 leveraging modern technology after nearly 40 years of shutdown.
Fig.1 - Selected tungsten projects (as of October 2022) across the Iberian Peninsula, with only two operating mines (in blue)
Mining and concentrating activities at the mine are designed to minimise any environmental impact while ensuring a high mineral recovery. Current production is approximately 140 tons/month of high-grade (>65% WO3) tungsten concentrate, with various minor plant expansion projects ongoing for higher recovery and throughput.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from EQ Resources, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
EQ Resources Gets Government Funding for Wolfram Camp Tungsten Mine
EQ Resources (ASX:EQR) said Tuesday (October 15) that it has received AU$250,000 from the Queensland government’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Collaborative Project Fund.
The money will be used for advanced X-ray transmission (XRT) ore-sorting trials at the Wolfram Camp tungsten mine.
The METS Collaborative Project Fund is a AU$2.67 million project that aims to support companies, researchers and agencies in developing projects that address environmental and safety challenges in the resource sector.
“This funding is key to advancing our strategy at Wolfram Camp, as part of our Queensland Tungsten Cluster, enabling us to deploy cutting-edge technologies and expertise to unlock the site's potential,” said EQ CEO Kevin MacNeill.
The company also underlined that it is proud to contribute to Queensland’s vision of re-commercialising former mines, and to the overall development of the critical minerals sector in the state.
The advanced XRT ore-sorting trials will assess the viability of redeveloping the historic Wolfram Camp tungsten mine.
The work will be completed by a consortium led by EQ. Collaborator Tomra Sorting will provide industrial XRT sorters for the project. The University of Queensland is also collaborating through its Sustainable Minerals Institute, which will lead geometallurgical characterisation of the stockpiles and focus on tungsten and molybdenum deposits.
EQ secured an exploration permit for Wolfram Camp mine on June 18. The project is located 100 kilometres southwest of the company’s operating Mount Carbine tungsten mine, where EQ recently hit a new monthly production record.
“(This proximity) represents a unique opportunity to revitalise a historic mining region and form part of a potential Tungsten Cluster EQR has been advocating with the government,” EQ said in its press release.
As the company works to evaluate Wolfram Camp's potential, it is looking to spend the next three years on work such as a comprehensive regional review and exploration programs, including new mapping, soil and geophysical surveys, high-resolution magnetic imaging and drill testing over 10,000 metres.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
EQ Resources Reports New Monthly Tungsten Production Record
EQ Resources (ASX:EQR) hit a monthly tungsten production record of 20,721 metric ton units (mtu), the company said on Wednesday (October 2). The amount is a 15 percent increase from its previous monthly record.
In its first fiscal quarter of 2025, the company reported a 31 percent rise in output from the previous period.
EQ said in a press release that the increases were due to improving ore grades at its Mount Carbine mine in Queensland, as well as the successful implementation of recovery-enhancing upgrades at the Barruecopardo mine in Spain.
“Production continues to ramp up at Mt Carbine since we re-entered the Andy White open pit in June of last year, while our teams at Barruecopardo have been implementing and installing a capital-lite continuous improvement program since EQR assumed ownership of the mine in January,” explained company CEO Kevin MacNeill.
In September, Mount Carbine hit a daily production record of 641 mtu, up from its previous daily record of 571 mtu. Barruecopardo recorded a 21 mtu increase in its daily output record, climbing from 497 mtu to 518 mtu per day.
EQ notes that its higher mining rates came in tandem with further restrictions on critical minerals exports from China, along with the US government’s additional 25 percent tariff on the import of Chinese tungsten products.
MacNeill said China controls more than 80 percent of global tungsten output, adding that the western world has only brought four tungsten mines into operation in the past 15 years. Two of these mines are operated by EQ, which the company perceives as “a unique value proposition that gains interest from policymakers.”
The company is looking at cooperation and funding opportunities domestically and via US and EU agencies.
In July, EQ completed the acquisition of its partner CRONIMET’s 50 percent interest in the Mount Carbine retreatment joint venture. The company is now responsible for all obligations under the offtake agreement, as well as all assets and liabilities of the joint venture. CRONIMET has assumed a marketing role for the company’s Saloro concentrate.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Significant Tungsten and Critical Minerals Assays, Cleveland Project
Elementos Limited (ASX: ELT) has bolstered the development prospects of its Cleveland Tin Project, in the mineral rich province of north-west Tasmania after outstanding drill assays from the “Foleys Zone” confirmed large continuous zones of tungsten, co-mineralised with a suite of highly desired critical minerals.
Highlights:
- Drill assays confirm large tungsten mineralisation over 465.9m (above a cut-off grade of 0.1%) including a single continuous zone of 319.5m @ 0.18% WO3 from 772.4m (downhole)
- Multiple higher-grade zones of tungsten (~0.24-1.6% WO3) identified throughout the broader tungsten mineralisation within the Foleys Zone.
- Significant co-mineralisation of Critical Minerals intersected within the tungsten mineralisation, including high-value minerals; rubidium, molybdenum, fluorspar/fluorite and bismuth. Rubidium, as Rubidium Carbonate, currently trades in the range of ~US$1,100/kg# (~US$1.1M/t).
Managing Director Joe David said the results increase the Cleveland Project’s development prospectivity considerably.
“In addition to the previously established 7.5Mt of tin and copper Mineral Resources3 and the 4.0Mt of tungsten Mineral Resources1,2, the project now has an additional suite of Critical and Strategic Minerals*^ to evaluate including molybdenum, fluorite/fluorspar (further assays pending), bismuth and rubidium. These minerals are targeted by the Australian and US Governments (and their allies) due to their contribution to high-tech industries and current reliance on concentrated offshore supply chains,“ Mr David said.
“These Foley Zone intersections are potentially game-changing for the project as we continue to build a robust suite of Critical Mineral mineralisation, ahead of developing the technical studies to define the economic case for the company’s planned re-start of the old Cleveland Tin Mine.
“The confirmation of just under half-a-kilometre of tungsten, of substantial grade and intensity appear globally significant. This is despite the fact the hole drifted slightly at depth and missed the ultimate porphyry dyke target (historically intersected) leaving potential further upside for the mineralisation, grades and the project.”
“Whilst the intersection of minerals other than tungsten was considered prospective, due to several research papers and historic mine records, the thickness of continuity of some of these Critical Mineral intercepts has been a positive surprise. Particularly noteworthy is intersecting over 200m of previously un-identified rubidium mineralisation (>0.1% Rb), a rare and unique mineral which trades around US$1.1 million/tonne,” he said.
“Rubidium is indispensable for quantum computing, GPS technology, fibre optics, electronics, pyrotechnics, the medical industry and is also used to make specialty glass.”
“We believe on-top of the previously defined Mineral Resources1,2,3, the confirmation of just under 500m of additional Tungsten mineralisation, co-mineralised with these Critical and Strategic Minerals definitely puts the Cleveland Project back-on-the-map.”
Assay Results
As previously reported, drill hole C2124/C2124A was drilled to a depth of 1,122m. The drill hole tested for extensions to the tungsten Mineral Resource1,2 within the highly prospective “Foleys Zone” which lies beneath the Cleveland tin-copper Mineral Resource3.
The current assay data being reported is in addition to previously reported assay data from this drill hole (18 June 20245, 10th July 20246 & 4th Sept 20248).
In conjunction with follow-up workstreams (ie. fluorite assays), the company will continue to refine its development plan and focus for the Cleveland Project.
Note, only initial fluorspar/fluorite assays are reported. A further 291 samples (representing 394.2m) are being sent to the ALS laboratory in Vancouver laboratory for specialised ore-grade halogen assays after it was previously identified that many samples were above recordable levels for the Brisbane laboratory.
The tungsten analytical results for these sample depths were reported earlier8.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Elementos Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Formation of Joint Venture Molyhil Project, Northern Territory
The Directors of Thor Energy Plc (“Thor”) (AIM, ASX: THR, OTCQB: THORF) are pleased to announce that, further to the announcement on 24 November 2022 in relation to the Farm-in Funding Agreement and the announcement on 24 April 2024 in relation to the Completion of Stage 1 Earn-In Commitment, a joint venture Agreement (“JV”) with ASX-listed Investigator Resources Limited (“IVR”), operating as Fram under the Heads of Agreement (“HoA”), has been formalised for the Molyhil and Bonya (EL29701 only) Projects, in the Northern Territory.
Highlights:
- JV formed with IVR completing by spending $1,000,000 on the tenements (Stage 1 commitment) and the transfer of 25% interest in the Molyhil tenements and the sale of Thor’s 40% interest in Bonya tenement EL29701 (Table 1 and 2).
- The initial interest for the parties is 25% Fram and 75% Molyhil.
- IVR will now issue Thor A$250,000 worth of IVR shares upon the formalisation of Fram’s 25% JV interest.
- Fram can opt to continue to earn up to 80% interest by spending up to, a further $7,000,000 on the Tenements via a three-stage process.
- The JV at Molyhil will allow Thor to focus on its priority USA Uranium assets and Alford East Copper-REE Project while retaining a meaningful interest in the Molyhil Project.
Nicole Galloway Warland, Managing Director of Thor Energy, commented:
“The Directors are delighted that the Stage 1 Commitment has been completed and that Fram is progressing with developments on this exciting tungsten/molybdenum deposit. The increase in the mineral resource endowment is underpinning feasibility work at Molyhil.
“The commitment shown by Fram in diligently working through all aspects of this deposit is to be applauded.
“The Molyhil divestment and Bonya sale (EL29701) will support the Company’s focus on its priority US uranium assets, where we see the most significant and nearest-term value potential for Thor’s shareholders.”
Key Transaction Details
Formation of the Joint Venture
Under the execution of the Stage 1 obligations, a JV Agreement was executed between Fram and Molyhil on 13 August 2024 (“JV Commencement Date”). The initial JV interests of the parties are 25% Fram and 75% Molyhil in Molyhil, with the 40% sale of Bonya EL29701 (Table 1 and 2).
Stage 1 Joint Venture Consideration
On the formalisation of Fram’s 25% JV interest, IVR will issue Thor A$250,000 worth of IVR shares at a deemed price equal to the higher of the Volume Weighted Average Price for the 15-day trading period immediately preceding the 25% earn-in date, or A$0.05 per share.
Stage 2 Earn-In
Fram shall, within 28 days of the JV Commencement Date, give Molyhil written notice of its intention to earn a further 26% interest in the Molyhil Tenements (“Stage 2 Earn-In Notice”), bringing its total interest to 51%.
If Fram issues a Stage 2 Earn-In Notice, Fram must spend A$2,000,000 (which amount is in addition to the Stage 1 Commitment) on exploration on or before the third anniversary of the JV Commencement Date (“Stage 2 Commitment”) to earn the additional 26%.
Upon Fram meeting the Stage 2 Commitment, Fram will be entitled to a 51% interest in the Tenements.
Stage 3 Earn-In
Fram shall, within 28 days of the Stage 2 Completion Notice, give Molyhil written notice of its intention to earn a further 29% interest in the Tenements (“Stage 3 Earn-In Notice”), bringing its total interest to 80%.
If Fram issues a Stage 3 Earn-In Notice, Fram must spend A$5,000,000 (an amount additional to the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Commitments) on exploration on or before the sixth anniversary of the JV Commencement Date (“Stage 3 Commitment”) to earn the additional 26%.
Upon Fram meeting the Stage 3 Commitment, Fram will be entitled to an 80% interest in the Tenements.
Project Background
The Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum deposit is located 220km north-east of Alice Springs (320km by road) within the prospective polymetallic province of the Proterozoic Eastern Arunta Block, in the Northern Territory (Figure 1).
As announced on (ASX/AIM: 31 May 2024), Thor reported a revised Mineral Resource Estimate comprising Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resources, totalling 4.65 million tonnes at 0.26% WO3 (Tungsten trioxide), 0.09% Mo (Molybdenum), and 0.04% Cu (Copper) using a 0.05% WO3 cut-off.
The Bonya tungsten and copper tenement (EL29701) is located approximately 30km to the northeast of Molyhil (Figure 1). Thor, in JV with Arafura, held a 40% equity interest in the tenements.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Thor Energy PLC, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Top 10 Tungsten-producing Countries (Updated 2024)
Tungsten has many applications. It's used in electrical wires, as well as in welding, heavy metal alloys, turbine blades and as a lead substitute in bullets. The metal can also be found in heating and electrical contacts.
According to the US Geological Survey, global tungsten production came in at 78,000 metric tons (MT) in 2023, down slightly from 2022's 79,800 MT. The vast majority of tungsten mining and processing occurs in China. Looking forward to 2024 and 2025, increased production is seen coming from mines in South Korea, Russia, Spain and the UK.
Tungsten’s importance in a wide range of industrial categories, from smartphones to car batteries, means demand is likely to rise. At the same time, supply chain disruptions and increased production costs are weighing on global supply.
Tungsten prices have traded upward in recent years, and the industry's supply and demand dynamics are expected to push the metal higher in 2024 and beyond. Total revenue for the tungsten market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent through 2024 to 2030 to reach nearly US$9.51 billion in value.
With that in mind, it’s worth being aware of which countries produce the most tungsten. Here’s an overview of the top tungsten-producing countries last year, as per data from the US Geological Survey.
1. China
Mine production: 63,000 MT
China's tungsten production fell by 3,000 MT from 2022 to 2023, but the country remained the world’s largest producer by a wide margin. That said, China’s tungsten production has been falling in recent years — the Asian nation has limited the quantity of tungsten-mining and export licenses it awards, and has imposed quotas on tungsten concentrate production. The country has also recently increased environmental inspections.
In addition to being the world’s largest tungsten producer, China is the world’s top consumer of the metal. Aside from that, China has been the main source of tungsten imported into the US since 2017, reportedly representing 27 percent of total American tungsten imports between 2019 and 2022. Tighter tungsten supply out of China in 2024 may lead to higher prices for the metal despite growing production from ex-China sources.
2. Vietnam
Mine production: 3,500 MT
Vietnam’s tungsten production in 2023 came to 3,500 MT, down by 500 MT from the previous year. Privately owned Masan Resources runs the Vietnam-based Nui Phao mine, which it says is the largest tungsten-producing mine outside China. It is also one of the lowest-cost producers of tungsten in the world.
3. Russia
Mine production: 2,000 MT
Russia’s tungsten production remained flat in 2023. The war between Russia and Ukraine has hampered Russia's ability to trade and make deliveries of tungsten to the world market as it continues to face sanctions.
Russia is a significant supplier of the metal to Europe, but restrictions have increased the continent’s dependency on Chinese imports. At the same time, the war is fueling tungsten demand given the metal's use in ammunitions.
4. North Korea
Mine production: 1,700 MT
North Korea's annual tungsten production rose by 180 MT over the previous year to reach 1,700 MT in 2023. The Mannyŏn mine in South Hamgyong province is the country's largest tungsten mine.
Tungsten ore is North Korea's top export, worth nearly US$31 million in 2022, with the majority being consumed by China. Tungsten's top spot in North Korea's export market may be due to the fact that it's one of the few metals not listed under UN sanctions on the country's trade.
5. Bolivia
Mine production: 1,500 MT
Bolivia has increased its tungsten production since 2014 as a result of moves to promote its tungsten industry. The South American nation's output increased to 1,500 MT in 2022 from 1,360 MT the previous year.
The Bolivian mining industry is heavily influenced by Comibol, a state-owned mining umbrella company.
5. Spain
Mine production: 1,500 MT
Spain’s tungsten production tied with Bolivia in 2023 after rising by 87.5 percent over the previous year.
There are a number of companies engaged in the exploration, development and mining of tungsten assets in Spain. Examples include Almonty Industries (TSX:AII,OTCQX:ALMTF) and Australia's EQR Resources (ASX:EQR), which acquired tungsten producer Saloro last year.
7. Rwanda
Mine production: 1,400 MT
Rwanda produced 1,400 MT of tungsten in 2023, on par with 2022's output. Tungsten is one of the most common conflict minerals in the world, meaning that at least some of it is produced in war zones and is sold to perpetuate fighting.
While Rwanda has promoted itself as a source of conflict-free minerals, concerns remain about its tungsten output. Nevertheless, it is an important exporter of tungsten, accounting for 31 percent of global tungsten trade in 2022.
8. Austria
Mine production: 910 MT
Austria was the eight largest producer of tungsten in 2023, putting out 910 MT of the material, on par with the previous year. Much of that production can be attributed to Wolfram’s Mittersill mine, which is located in Salzburg and hosts Europe's largest tungsten deposit.
9. Australia
Mine production: 800 MT
Australia's tungsten production increased by 300 percent to overtake Portugal for the ninth spot on this list. The country's 2022 output of the metal came to 200 MT compared to 800 MT in 2023.
Companies with Australia-based tungsten projects include Tungsten Mining (ASX:TGN), whose properties include Mount Mulgine, Big Hill and Kilba in Western Australia, as well as Watershed in Northeast Queensland and Hatches Creek in the Northern Territory. There's also EQR Resources with its Mount Carbine asset in North Queensland, and Group 6 Metals (ASX:G6M), which recently brought the historic Dolphin tungsten mine back into production.
10. Portugal
Mine production: 500 MT
Portugal is another country on this list that saw its tungsten production remain flat in 2023. It put out 500 MT of the metal, on par with the 500 MT produced in the previous year.
The European country has the lowest-known tungsten reserves figure out of all the nations on this list, totaling just 4,000 MT. The Panasqueira mine is Portugal’s largest tungsten-producing operation.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
How to Invest in Tungsten
Tungsten was discovered in Sweden in the 18th century, and since then has found diverse uses.
About two-thirds of demand for this critical metal is from the mining and drilling industry for use in cemented carbides; mill products and chemicals account for the rest. However, while tungsten has many key uses, the market has been quite turbulent for the last several years — low prices have led to reduced output in some parts of the world.
Global tungsten production came to 84,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022, slightly above the 83,800 MT put out in 2021. As with many metals, China dominates the tungsten-mining space. In fact, according to the US Geological Survey, production of tungsten concentrate outside the country accounts for less than 20 percent of total global supply.
Interestingly, despite being the biggest tungsten producer, China is limited in how much it produces. The Asian nation's government has restricted the number of tungsten mining and export licenses that it awards, and has also imposed quotas on concentrate production and placed constraints on mining and processing.
Tungsten demand has faced pressure from recession threats, but use of the metal is still seen increasing. A global tungsten market report by Business Research Insights forecasts that the sector will grow at a CAGR of 8.71 percent to reach US$17.96 billion by 2027. Drivers will include an expansion of the mining and drilling industry, the growing use of tungsten in everyday and industrial products and the increasing adoption of tungsten in medical applications.
That optimism has left investors wondering whether tungsten investment is a good idea. Read on for a brief overview of tungsten supply and demand dynamics and ways to invest in tungsten.
What drives tungsten supply and demand?
Tungsten is mined all over the world, although as mentioned China is the world’s largest producer by far.
In 2022, the country mined 71,000 MT of the metal, far ahead of the 4,800 MT produced in Vietnam, the world’s second largest tungsten miner. China also leads in reserves with 1.8 million MT; Russia is in second place with 400,000 MT.
Typically, tungsten deposits are found near orogenic belts, which are areas where tectonic plates have collided to form mountains. These belts run through East Asia, the Asiatic part of Russia, the east coast of Australia, the Rocky and Andes mountains and the Alpide belt, which spans over 15,000 kilometers across Eurasia's southern margin.
One issue surrounding tungsten supply is the fact that the metal can be found in war-stricken countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. For over a decade, the extraction of mineral resources in these areas has been linked to conflict, human rights abuses and corruption; for that reason, tungsten is known as a conflict mineral.
Some government bodies have put rules in place to ensure that companies disclose where the conflict minerals they use come from. For example, the EU has taken action to strengthen its conflict minerals rules.
In addition to being the world’s top tungsten producer, China is also the top tungsten consumer. Looking more closely at tungsten uses, it's clear many of them are correlated to the global economy.
For example, tungsten carbide, alloy and chemicals are used in the construction, electronics, mining and automotive industries; they can also be found in oil operations, as well as mineral exploration and mining. Mill products require tungsten too — these include tungsten rods, sheets, wires, light bulb filaments and electrical contacts; that said, tungsten’s use in light bulb filaments is declining due to new lighting technologies.
The chemical industry also consumes tungsten — tungsten compounds are used as lubricants, catalysts, pigments and enamels, as well as in electronics and for other electrical applications.
How to invest in tungsten stocks?
Investors who believe tungsten prices will rise in the future may want to enter the space today.
However, getting into the tungsten market can be a little difficult — as with many critical metals, getting direct exposure to physical tungsten is tricky as the metal does not trade on an exchange.
As a result, many market participants who are interested in tungsten investment turn to tungsten-focused companies. Most tungsten-producing companies are located in China, and are either privately owned or listed only on Asian exchanges; however, tungsten investing options do exist elsewhere.
A few options are listed below; all companies are listed on Canadian, Australian and London exchanges, and had market caps above $5 million as of September 15, 2023:
This is an updated version of an article originally published by the Investing News Network in 2013.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: Fireweed Metals and Pivotal Metals are clients of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
Latest News
Latest Press Releases
Related News
TOP STOCKS
Investing News Network websites or approved third-party tools use cookies. Please refer to the cookie policy for collected data, privacy and GDPR compliance. By continuing to browse the site, you agree to our use of cookies.