Defence · Scheelite (CaWO₄)

Tungsten

China produces 83% of the world's mining. Armour-piercing penetrators, hard-metal cutting tools for the arms industry, and heat-resistant alloys.

83%: of mining is in China
44%: of EU imports of unwrought tungsten from outside the EU came from China in August 2026
3: sites watched from orbit on OreOrbit
1 Jan: next deadline: US defence sourcing rule for tungsten and magnets tightens

Where it is made

Share of world output held by the leading country at each stage. Sources: 2024, USGS.

What Europe imports

In August 2026, the EU imported €245 k of unwrought tungsten from outside the EU, 44% of it from China.

China everywhere else outside the EU. Monthly value of EU imports, Unwrought tungsten. Source: Eurostat Comext.

Why it matters for Europe

Europe mines some tungsten in Austria, Portugal and Spain, far less than it uses. China has required export licences for tungsten since February 2025.

Key figures

83% of world tungsten mine output came from China in 2024 (67,000 of 81,000 t) USGS MCS 2025
1 Jan 2027 from this date, tungsten in US defence contracts may not be mined or refined in China, Russia, North Korea or Iran DFARS 252.225-7052, via Crowell & Moring

Sites on the atlas

MittersillMine, Austria
PanasqueiraMine, Portugal
Ganzhou tungsten districtMine, China

Coming up

1 Jan 2027US defence sourcing rule for tungsten and magnets tightens Crowell & Moring

Options for Europe

3 EU strategic projects: El Moto (Spain), P6 Metals (Spain)
Recycling meets 42% of EU demand today, against the EU's 25% goal for 2030.