China controls a metal that’s key for the Iran war, sending the U.S. on a global hunt for more
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YEONGWOL COUNTY, South Korea — As the United States wages war on Iran, it is burning through stockpiles of advanced weapons and ammunition, including Tomahawk, Patriot and Precision Strike missiles. Replacing them will require a powerful metal, tungsten, whose production and refining are dominated by China — leading the U.S. to desperately search for it elsewhere. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Almonty Industries is trying to revive tungsten mining outside China as the Iran war drains U.S. weapons stockpiles and exposes how dependent the West is on Chinese supply.
Key Points:
- Tungsten is vital for missiles, armor-piercing rounds, fighter jets, and other defense gear, so the U.S. needs more of it to rebuild munitions.
- China controls most of the world’s tungsten production and refining, and past export limits pushed prices higher.
- Almonty has restarted a large tungsten mine in South Korea and is also working to reopen a mine in Montana to help create a U.S. supply.
- U.S. officials and industry leaders say rebuilding a reliable tungsten supply chain will take many years, even with new stockpiles and mining deals.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
Tungsten shortages can slow missile and defense production, which may raise costs for taxpayers and keep US stocks thin.
Positive Impact
New mines like Almonty’s South Korea site could help rebuild supply and make US weapons and tech supplies more stable over time.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Almonty Industriescompany
Candidate Entities7 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Almonty IndustriescompanyPrimaryEvaluated
The company reopening and operating the Sangdong mine and positioning itself as a major non-Chinese tungsten supplier.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Lewis BlackpersonMajorAI selected
Chief executive of Almonty Industries, quoted extensively on tungsten supply, mining, and the company’s strategy.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - President Donald TrumppersonMajorAI selected
Named president whose administration’s mineral stockpiling, support for mining, and strategic alignment are central to the article.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Steve AllenpersonMajorAI selected
Almonty’s chief operating officer, quoted on demand and the importance of a resilient tungsten supply chain.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Mark CancianpersonContextCandidate
CSIS adviser cited for analysis of munitions shortfalls and the timeline to restore stockpiles.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Steve WarrenpersonContextCandidate
Retired Army colonel and defense executive quoted on why U.S. mining lags China’s production.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Tianjin MetalscompanyMinorCandidate
Not named in the article; omitted.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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