The Sangdong Mine in South Korea is poised to play a crucial role in supplying tungsten, a critical mineral for U.S. defense needs, amid China’s dominance in the rare earth and critical mineral markets. Almonti Industries, led by CEO Lewis Black, has secured a contract with the U.S. government to provide sufficient tungsten as China enforces strict production limits, raising concerns about supply chain dependency.
Tungsten is vital for various applications, including technology and defense, due to its high melting point. The Sangdong Mine, once a significant economic contributor to South Korea, fell dormant in the 1990s due to Chinese price dumping but is now being revived to mitigate U.S. reliance on Chinese resources.
Almonti also owns tungsten mines in Spain, Portugal, and Montana, with efforts focused on diversifying supply chains. However, Black warns that overcoming U.S. dependence on Chinese materials will take a decade and will face workforce training hurdles. As industries grapple with the shift, the U.S. government has issued requests for information on tungsten, highlighting existing shortages.
The Sangdong mine is expected to be operational by early 2026, aiming for annual production of 1.2 million tonnes of tungsten ore.
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