China Dominates Global Tungsten Production: U.S. Policy Shifts Needed
In a world increasingly reliant on critical minerals, the current tungsten supply crisis highlights a significant geopolitical and economic challenge. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China accounted for an astonishing 79% of tungsten production in 2025, mining 67,000 of the total 85,000 tonnes extracted globally. This dominance poses problems for the United States, which has seen no domestic tungsten mining activities since 2015.
The U.S. government has attempted to mitigate its reliance on foreign tungsten through various strategies, including financial investments and regulatory changes. Starting January 1, 2027, new regulations under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) will expand restrictions on tungsten imports from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Under this new policy, the restrictions will apply not only to processing and melting but also to mining and ore stages. However, the reality remains that regulations and funding alone cannot create what America fundamentally lacks: land rights for mining operations.
In the realm of mining, particularly in the American West, mineral and surface rights are often owned by different entities. This complicates the establishment of new mining operations, as companies may possess the rights to mine valuable minerals yet lack the necessary permissions to use the surface land for infrastructure, processing, or transportation. This issue is particularly prevalent on split-estate land, where the Bureau of Land Management manages the mineral rights, while the surface remains privately owned. Resolving these conflicts is often a lengthy and costly process, causing delays in mining projects.
A notable example is Western Star Resources Inc., which recently acquired 14 lode claims at the Eagle Point Tungsten Project in New Mexico along with exclusive rights to use the surface for mineral operations. This unique arrangement gives the company a distinct advantage, providing it with operational certainty that is usually hard to attain in mining explorations. They have established a surface use agreement allowing for both exploration and mining while facilitating important infrastructure development.
This kind of proactive approach is essential for getting projects off the ground, especially given the current backdrop of rising tungsten prices. By early 2026, tungsten concentrate prices were noted to have escalated to between $2,500 and $2,800 per tonne, driven by supply constraints and growing global demand. The effectiveness of international trade policies and limited export licenses from China further amplify the urgency for the U.S. to ramp up its domestic mineral production
Moreover, the timeline of public policy can also impact the success of mining projects. Take Perpetua Resources Corp., for instance. Their Stibnite gold-antimony project went through years of federal permitting before construction could commence, backed by significant financial support under the Make More in America Initiative. This illustrates the long lead times necessary for regulatory compliance, revealing the criticality of land reclamation and mining permits in domestic supply chain strategy.
As companies like United States Antimony Corporation and Nova Minerals Corp. continue to work through their respective projects, American firms are also adapting their strategies to not just secure mining rights but also to cultivate processing capabilities that would minimize reliance on foreign mineral sources.
The ongoing exploration for new domestic sources of tungsten is paramount for the U.S. to lessen its reliance on Chinese tungsten. Each company engaged in this sector—including Trilogy Metals Inc.—embodies a part of the larger narrative that highlights not just the need for domestic resources but also the complex interdependencies of land ownership and regulatory guidelines that frame operational endeavors in the mining industry.
As the market for tungsten becomes increasingly competitive, it's evident that the U.S. must expedite its efforts to develop domestic sources, streamline permitting processes, and attract necessary capital to boost production capacity. For America to reclaim its position in the global tungsten market, strategic investments in land and resources must go hand-in-hand with supportive public policy initiatives. The upcoming years will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of domestic mineral production as the world looks to navigate the challenges of supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions.
The U.S. government has attempted to mitigate its reliance on foreign tungsten through various strategies, including financial investments and regulatory changes. Starting January 1, 2027, new regulations under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) will expand restrictions on tungsten imports from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Under this new policy, the restrictions will apply not only to processing and melting but also to mining and ore stages. However, the reality remains that regulations and funding alone cannot create what America fundamentally lacks: land rights for mining operations.
In the realm of mining, particularly in the American West, mineral and surface rights are often owned by different entities. This complicates the establishment of new mining operations, as companies may possess the rights to mine valuable minerals yet lack the necessary permissions to use the surface land for infrastructure, processing, or transportation. This issue is particularly prevalent on split-estate land, where the Bureau of Land Management manages the mineral rights, while the surface remains privately owned. Resolving these conflicts is often a lengthy and costly process, causing delays in mining projects.
A notable example is Western Star Resources Inc., which recently acquired 14 lode claims at the Eagle Point Tungsten Project in New Mexico along with exclusive rights to use the surface for mineral operations. This unique arrangement gives the company a distinct advantage, providing it with operational certainty that is usually hard to attain in mining explorations. They have established a surface use agreement allowing for both exploration and mining while facilitating important infrastructure development.
This kind of proactive approach is essential for getting projects off the ground, especially given the current backdrop of rising tungsten prices. By early 2026, tungsten concentrate prices were noted to have escalated to between $2,500 and $2,800 per tonne, driven by supply constraints and growing global demand. The effectiveness of international trade policies and limited export licenses from China further amplify the urgency for the U.S. to ramp up its domestic mineral production
Moreover, the timeline of public policy can also impact the success of mining projects. Take Perpetua Resources Corp., for instance. Their Stibnite gold-antimony project went through years of federal permitting before construction could commence, backed by significant financial support under the Make More in America Initiative. This illustrates the long lead times necessary for regulatory compliance, revealing the criticality of land reclamation and mining permits in domestic supply chain strategy.
As companies like United States Antimony Corporation and Nova Minerals Corp. continue to work through their respective projects, American firms are also adapting their strategies to not just secure mining rights but also to cultivate processing capabilities that would minimize reliance on foreign mineral sources.
The ongoing exploration for new domestic sources of tungsten is paramount for the U.S. to lessen its reliance on Chinese tungsten. Each company engaged in this sector—including Trilogy Metals Inc.—embodies a part of the larger narrative that highlights not just the need for domestic resources but also the complex interdependencies of land ownership and regulatory guidelines that frame operational endeavors in the mining industry.
As the market for tungsten becomes increasingly competitive, it's evident that the U.S. must expedite its efforts to develop domestic sources, streamline permitting processes, and attract necessary capital to boost production capacity. For America to reclaim its position in the global tungsten market, strategic investments in land and resources must go hand-in-hand with supportive public policy initiatives. The upcoming years will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of domestic mineral production as the world looks to navigate the challenges of supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions.
Topics Energy）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.