Tungsten’s importance in a wide range of industrial categories, from smartphones to car batteries, means demand is likely to rise.
At the same time, supply chain disruptions and increased production costs are weighing on global supply, making it important to learn about the top global tungsten producers and tungsten mines.
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, has many applications. It’s used in electrical wires, as well as in welding, heavy metal alloys, turbine blades and as a lead substitute in bullets. The metal can also be found in heating and electrical contacts.
Tungsten prices have traded upward in recent years, and the industry’s supply and demand dynamics are pushing it even higher in 2026.
With that in mind, it’s worth being aware of which countries produce the most tungsten.
According to the US Geological Survey, global tungsten production came in at 85,000 metric tons (MT) in 2025 compared to 2024’s 82,000 MT. The vast majority of tungsten mining and processing occurs in China. When Beijing added certain tungsten products to its export control list in 2025 amid a trade dispute with Washington, already tight supply was worsened.
While South Korea is not currently a top tungsten producer, Almonty Industries (TSX:AII,OTCQX:ALMTF) recently began production at the Sangdong tungsten mine, marking the restart of one of the world’s historically largest tungsten operations after more than three decades.
It is also important to know where the highest tungsten reserves by country are located, as some countries with lower production may have high potential for increased tungsten production in the future.
Here’s an overview of tungsten production by country in 2025, as per the most recent data from the US Geological Survey.
Top 10 tungsten producers and reserves by country
1. China
Tungsten production: 67,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 2.5 million metric tons
In 2025, China produced 67,000 metric tons of tungsten, making it the world’s largest producer of the metal by a wide margin, accounting for nearly 80 percent of total annual tungsten output worldwide. China also holds the most tungsten reserves in the world at 2.5 million metric tons.
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.
China has been the main source of tungsten imported into the US since 2017, and the country accounted for 27 percent of US tungsten imports in 2024.
In response to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 10 percent tariffs on imports from China in February 2025, the Government of China immediately announced strict export controls on tungsten and four other key metals used in several important industries, including defense. 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: 3,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 170,000 metric tons
Vietnam’s tungsten production in 2025 came to 3,000 metric tons, making it the world’s second highest tungsten producing country, although its production decreased by 400 MT from the previous year. As for tungsten reserves, Vietnam holds 170,000 MT of the metal under its soil.
The country’s Núi Pháo mine produces the majority of Vietnam’s tungsten and is one of the largest mines outside of China. It is owned by Masan High-Tech Materials, a subsidiary of Masan Group (HOSE:MSN). The on-site refinery has a 6,500 MT annual capacity.
Between 2021 and 2024, Vietnam accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports. Since the US government placed tariffs on Chinese tungsten and China in kind initiated export controls, Vietnam’s share may grow in the coming years.
3. Kazakhstan
Tungsten production: 2,400 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not available
Kazakhstan joined the top tungsten countries in 2025, mining 2,400 metric tons of the critical metal.
The Boguty tungsten mine, located in the Almaty Oblast, entered commercial production in April 2025. The mine is owned and operated by Jiaxin International Resources Investment (HKEX:3858,AIX:JXIR).
According to a technical report, the mine hosts probable tungsten oxide reserves of 140,800 MT from 64.8 million MT of ore. Additionally, its 227,300 MT of contained tungsten mineral resources make it the world’s largest open-pit tungsten deposit, according to the company.
In 2026, the company expects Boguty to produce 10,900 MT of tungsten concentrate at 65 percent, equivalent to about 7,085 MT of contained tungsten oxide.
4. Russia
Tungsten production: 2,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 400,000 metric tons
Russia produced 2,000 metric tons of tungsten in 2025, up 500 MT from 2024. Its production tied it for fourth highest overall with North Korea. However, Russia holds the third-largest global tungsten reserves at 400,000 MT.
The country’s past-producing Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum deposit is the largest tungsten deposit in the country and one of the largest globally, with 241,706 MT of contained tungsten metal. Elbrusmetal, part of state-owned mining company Rostec, is advancing a restart of mining at Tyrnyauz, with production expected in 2028.
Russia was previously a significant supplier of tungsten to a variety of countries, including Austria, the Netherlands and the US. However, sanctions on Russia because of its war with Ukraine has limited Russia’s ability to trade and make deliveries of tungsten to the world market. In 2024, the vast majority of its tungsten exports were to China.
At the same time, the war has fueled tungsten demand given the metal’s use in ammunitions.
4. North Korea
Tungsten production: 2,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 29,000 metric tons
In 2025, North Korea produced 2,000 metric tons of tungsten, up by 100 MT over the previous year. This tied it with Russia as the fourth largest tungsten mining country. In terms of mineral reserves, North Korea holds 29,000 MT of tungsten according to the USGS.
The Mannyŏn tungsten mine in North Hwanghae province is the country’s main source of the metal. Its name means 10,000 years in reference to its vast reserves. According to the USGS, it has a capacity of 4,000 MT of tungsten oxide content, although it is operating well below that.
Tungsten ore is North Korea’s second highest export by value, worth nearly US$31.4 million in 2024, all of which was imported by China.
Tungsten’s high spot in North Korea’s export market is influenced by it being one of the few metals not listed under UN sanctions on the country’s trade. In fact, the country only produced 50 MT of tungsten in 2016, just before the UN implemented export bans for many metals.
6. Bolivia
Tungsten production: 1,700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not available
Bolivia’s tungsten production in 2025 totaled 1,700 metric tons, in line with its output the previous year.
The Bolivian mining industry is heavily influenced by Comibol, a state-owned mining umbrella company.
The country produces tungsten from its Himalaya mine in Bolivia’s La Paz department. Previously mined by mining cooperatives, Himalaya was nationalized in 2012 and is now operated by COMIBOL subsidiary Empress Minera Himalaya.
Bolivia accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports between 2021 and 2024.
7. Rwanda
Tungsten production: 1,300 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not available
Rwanda produced 1,300 metric tons of tungsten in 2025, on par with 2024’s output.
Rwanda’s Nyakabingo tungsten mine has become the largest tungsten producer in Africa in recent years.
Nyakabingo, located in the Rulindo district, is owned by Trinity Metals, whose largest shareholder is UK-based private industrial company Techmet. In October 2025, Trinity began shipping tungsten concentrate from the mine to Pennsylvania, US, to be processed at Global Tungsten and Powder’s plant.
However, Nyakabingo doesn’t account for all of Rwanda’s tungsten exports. Tungsten is one of four conflict minerals alongside tin, tantalum and gold (3TG), which are referred to this way due to their role in funding and motivating the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic Congo (DRC).
Rwanda has promoted itself as a source of conflict-free minerals. However, according to a report by the UN Security Council, Rwanda-backed groups have been looting 3T minerals during their occupation of mineral-rich areas in the eastern DRC.
“Once in Rwanda, the looted minerals were mixed with local production, effectively laundering them into the downstream supply chain under the guise of Rwandan origin,” the council wrote.
8. Australia
Tungsten production: 1,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 570,000 metric tons*
In 2025, Australia produced 1,000 metric tons of tungsten, a gain of 80 MT from 2025.
There are several operating tungsten mines in Australia. EQ Resources (ASX:EQR) is an Australian tungsten miner producing the metal at its Mount Carbine asset in North Queensland. On the island state of Tasmania, Group 6 Metals (ASX:G6M) brought the historic Dolphin tungsten mine back into production in 2023. Tasmania also contains private firm Tasmania Mines’ Kara tungsten mine
Tungsten projects under development in Australia include Tivan’s (ASX:TVN,OTCPL:TNGZF) Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project located in the Northern Territory. The company acquired it from Thor Energy (ASX:THR,LSE:THR,OTCQB:THORF,OTCPL:THORF) and Investigator Resources (ASX:IVR) in 2025 and is now advancing development plans for the project.
Another company with Australia-based tungsten projects is Tungsten Mining (ASX:TGN), which is advancing studies for its Mount Mulgine and Watershed tungsten projects in Western Australia and Queensland.
* Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equivalent reserves were 220,000 metric tons.
9. Austria
Tungsten production: 840 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 10,000 metric tons
Austria’s tungsten production in 2025 was 840 metric tons, on par with its 2024 production. According to the USGS, Austria currently hosts 10,000 metric tons of tungsten reserves.
Much of Austria’s production can be attributed to the Mittersill tungsten mine, which is located in Salzburg and hosts Europe’s largest deposit of scheelite, an important tungsten ore.
The Mittersill mine is operated by Wolfram Bergbau, a major Austrian tungsten company that is vertically integrated.
10. Spain
Tungsten production: 800 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 66,000 metric tons
Spain produced 800 metric tons of tungsten in 2025, up 100 MT over the previous year. The country is Europe’s leading producer of tungsten.
There are a number of companies engaged in the exploration, development and mining of tungsten assets in Spain. Australia’s EQ Resources, which acquired tungsten producer Saloro in 2023, now controls the Barruecopardo Mining and Processing operation.
As for Spanish tungsten assets under development, Almonty owns the permitting-phase Valtreixal tungsten-tin project, while Eurobattery Minerals (NGM:BAT,FSE:EBM) is advancing its San Juan tungsten project towards production in H2 2026.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Lauren Kelly, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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