Western Tungsten Resource Development Accelerates

Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition for critical minerals and a widening supply gap in the tungsten resource chain, overseas tungsten resource development and recycling efforts have accelerated noticeably. Countries including Japan, Australia, Canada, and the UK are rapidly building more localized and diversified supply systems through policy support, capital investment, mine development, recycling capacity expansion, and the restart of previously suspended projects, aiming to reduce reliance on China.

Recent Overseas Tungsten Resource Development and Recycling Updates

On September 9, 2026, Mitsubishi Materials announced an investment of approximately JPY 8 billion to expand tungsten recycling capacity at the Akita plant of its subsidiary Japan New Metals. The project will double the annual production capacity of the intermediate product ammonium paratungstate (APT) to 2,400 tons (tungsten trioxide equivalent) to reduce external dependence. Equipment installation is planned for fiscal 2026, with production startup targeted for April 2029. The company aims to achieve 100% recycled feedstock usage at its tungsten manufacturing base by fiscal 2030. The project has received approximately JPY 2 billion in subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

On September 1, 2026, Tungsten Mining NL released the pre-feasibility study results for the Mt Mulgine Tungsten Project in Western Australia. The study indicates the project has the potential to become one of the world’s largest and lowest-cost tungsten mine developments. Production is planned to commence in the second quarter of 2029, with average annual output of approximately 5,653 tons of tungsten and 3.09 million pounds of molybdenum. An expansion is scheduled for 2034, after which average annual production would rise to 8,843 tons of tungsten and 4.83 million pounds of molybdenum. Over the full life of the project, total planned output is 123,800 tons of tungsten, 67.6 million pounds of molybdenum, 43.08 million pounds of copper, 180,000 ounces of gold, and 9.94 million ounces of silver. "Mt Mulgine Tungsten Project Scheduled for Production in 2029"

On August 31, 2026, Northcliff Resources Ltd. released updated feasibility study results for the Sisson Tungsten-Molybdenum Mine project in Canada. The design features open-pit mining with associated mineral processing, treating 30,000 tons of ore per day (approximately 10.3 million tons annually) over a 27-year mine life. Average annual production is projected at 5,980 tons of tungsten (WO₃), with approximately 7,670 tons per year in the first five years. The construction period is about two years, with a final investment decision targeted for the second half of 2027 and production startup in 2030. The project has received major federal and provincial environmental approvals, is listed on Canada’s National Major Projects Inventory, and has obtained related funding support from the U.S. and Canadian governments.

On August 25, 2026, the UK National Wealth Fund (NWF) announced an investment of up to GBP 71 million to support the restart of the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine. This includes GBP 36 million in equity (approximately 7.42% ownership) and up to GBP 35 million in debt financing to cover mine construction, commissioning, and processing costs, as well as the repayment of previous short-term loans. The mine has already completed partial trial production and is scheduled for official startup in the third quarter of 2026, with full production targeted for the first quarter of 2027. At full capacity, it is expected to produce approximately 3,320 tons of tungsten concentrate and 462 tons of tin concentrate annually, accounting for about 20% of global tungsten supply outside China. "NWF Backs £71M Restart of Hemerdon Tungsten and Tin Mine"

• < Prev
• Next >