Top 10 Tungsten-p​roducing Countries

1. China

Tungsten production: 67,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 2.4 million metric tons

In 2024, China produced 67,000 metric tons of tungsten, up by 1,000 MT from 2023. The country is the world’s largest producer of the metal by a wide margin, accounting for more than 80 percent of total annual tungsten output worldwide.

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 response to US President Donald Trump's imposition of 10 percent tariffs on imports from China, the Government of China immediately announced strict export controls on tungsten and four other key metals used in several important industries, including defense. China has been the main source of tungsten imported into the US since 2017. In 2024, China accounted for 27 percent of US tungsten imports. Tighter tungsten supply out of China may lead to higher prices for the metal despite growing production from ex-China sources.

2. Vietnam

Tungsten production: 3,400 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 140,000 metric tons

Vietnam’s tungsten production in 2024 came to 3,400 metric tons, down by 100 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.

In 2024, Vietnam accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports.

3. Russia

Tungsten production: 2,000 metric tons
Tungsten Reserves: 400,000 metric tons

Russia produced 2,000 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, on par with the last few years. 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. The Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mine is the largest tungsten deposit in the country and one of the largest globally.

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

Tungsten production: 1,700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 29,000 metric tons

In 2024, North Korea produced 1,700 metric tons of tungsten production, up by 100 MT over the previous year. 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

Tungsten production: 1,600 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not available

Bolivia's tungsten production in 2024 was 1,600 metric tons, a gain of 100 MT over the previous year. The South American has increased its tungsten production since 2014 as a result of moves to promote its tungsten industry. Bolivia accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports in 2024.

The Bolivian mining industry is heavily influenced by Comibol, a state-owned mining umbrella company.

6. Rwanda

Tungsten production: 1,200 MT
Tungsten reserves: Not available

Rwanda produced 1,200 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, on par with 2023'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.

One of the largest tungsten producers in Rwanda is privately-owned Trilogy Metals, which owns the Nyakabingo tungsten ore mine. Trilogy's largest shareholder is UK-based private industrial company Techmet which is working to secure a viable technology metal supply chain.

7. Australia

Tungsten production: 1,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 570,000 metric tons*

In 2024, Australia produced 1,000 metric tons of tungsten. This represents a more than 130 percent jump in output from 2023 levels, taking it from the ninth spot on the previous year's list to rank seventh in global tungsten production for 2024.

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 brought the historic Dolphin tungsten mine back into production in 2023.

Tungsten projects under development in Australia include the Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum-copper project located in the Northern Territory. Molyhil is a 75/25 joint venture between Thor Energy (LON:THR) and Investigator Resources (ASX:IVR). According to Mining Database Online (MDO), Investigator is working toward completing a scoping study on Molyhil, based on an updated May 2024 mineral resource estimate, in the first half of 2025.

* Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equivalent reserves were 220,000 metric tons.

8. Austria

Tungsten production: 800 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 10,000 metric tons

Austria's tungsten production in 2024 was 800 metric tons, down 50 MT from 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. Spain

Tungsten production: 700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 66,000 metric tons

Spain produced 700 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, up 50 MT 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 EQ Resources (ASX:EQR), which acquired tungsten producer Saloro in 2023. Through its ownership of Saloro, EQ Resources now controls the Barruecopardo Mining and Processing operation. MDO reports that a program is underway to upgrade the plant and improve recoveries with completion expected by the end of 2025.

10. Portugal

Tungsten production: 500 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 3,400 metric tons

In 2024, Portugal produced 500 metric tons in 2024, up by 50 MT from that 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 3,400 MT. The Panasqueira mine is Portugal’s largest tungsten-producing operation. "The Panasqueira Mine has some of the highest tungsten recovery rates in the industry, consistently averaging 80 [percent]," states MDO.