China accounts for nearly 80 percent of global tungsten output, making it the dominant force among tungsten producing countries — but export controls imposed in early 2025 have pushed buyers toward a small group of alternative suppliers, reshaping the supply chain for one of industry’s most critical refractory metals. Global tungsten production reached 85,000 metric tons (MT) in 2025, up from 82,000 MT in 2024, according to the US Geological Survey.
Tungsten — atomic symbol W, also known as wolfram — is used in cemented carbide cutting tools, electrical contacts, armour-piercing ammunition, turbine blades, and high-speed steel. Its exceptional hardness and highest melting point of any metal make it irreplaceable in defence, aerospace, and heavy manufacturing applications.
How We Ranked the Top 10 Tungsten Producing Countries
Rankings are based on 2025 mine output data from the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries. Where USGS data is not disaggregated, figures are noted as estimated. Reserve figures are USGS 2025 data. Production totals refer to tungsten content in metric tons unless otherwise stated.
| Rank | Country | 2025 Output (MT) | Reserves (MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 67,000 | 2,500,000 |
| 2 | Vietnam | 3,000 | 170,000 |
| 3 | Kazakhstan | 2,400 | N/A |
| 4= | Russia | 2,000 | 400,000 |
| 4= | North Korea | 2,000 | 29,000 |
| 6 | Bolivia | 1,700 | N/A |
| 7 | Rwanda | 1,300 | N/A |
| 8 | Australia | 1,000 | 570,000* |
| 9 | Austria | 840 | 10,000 |
| 10 | Spain | 800 | 66,000 |
*Australia reserves: USGS figure is 570,000 MT; JORC-compliant reserves are 220,000 MT. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. N/A = not reported by USGS.
1. China — 67,000 MT
China produced 67,000 MT of tungsten in 2025, accounting for 79 percent of global supply, and holds the world’s largest reserves at an estimated 2.5 million MT. Output has trended downward over the past decade as Beijing has tightened mining licence quotas, reduced export licence allocations, and increased environmental inspections across primary tungsten districts in Jiangxi, Hunan, and Fujian provinces.
In February 2025, in response to US tariff action, China imposed strict export controls on tungsten and four other strategic metals — a move that CMN has reported as a significant escalation in critical minerals trade policy. The controls added a licensing requirement for tungsten products including APT (ammonium paratungstate), powder, and cemented carbide, tightening an already constrained export pipeline. China accounted for 27 percent of US tungsten imports in 2024.
2. Vietnam — 3,000 MT
Vietnam produced 3,000 MT of tungsten in 2025, down 400 MT from 2024, but remains the world’s second-largest producer. The country’s output is dominated by the Núi Pháo polymetallic mine in Đại Từ district, Thái Nguyên province, owned by Masan High-Tech Materials (a subsidiary of Masan Group, HOSE: MSN). The on-site refinery has a 6,500 MT annual processing capacity.
Vietnam’s strategic importance has risen sharply since China’s export control announcement. Between 2021 and 2024, Vietnam accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports. That share is expected to increase as buyers seek alternatives to Chinese-origin APT.
3. Kazakhstan — 2,400 MT
Kazakhstan entered the upper tier of tungsten producing countries in 2025 following the commercial launch of the Boguty tungsten mine in Almaty Oblast, owned and operated by Jiaxin International Resources Investment (HKEX: 3858). The open-pit operation holds probable reserves of 140,800 MT of tungsten oxide from 64.8 million MT of ore, and is classified as the world’s largest open-pit tungsten deposit by the operator. In 2026, the company targets production of 10,900 MT of tungsten concentrate at 65 percent grade — equivalent to approximately 7,085 MT of contained tungsten oxide — which would significantly increase Kazakhstan’s reported output in future USGS cycles.
4= Russia — 2,000 MT
Russia produced 2,000 MT of tungsten in 2025, up 500 MT from 2024, and holds the world’s third-largest reserves at 400,000 MT. The principal undeveloped asset is the Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum deposit in the North Caucasus, one of the largest globally with 241,706 MT of contained tungsten metal. State-owned Rostec subsidiary Elbrusmetal is advancing a restart, with production targeted for 2028.
Western sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have severely limited Russia’s ability to deliver tungsten to traditional customers in Austria, the Netherlands, and the US. The vast majority of Russian tungsten exports in 2024 were directed to China. Russia’s reserve position makes it a long-term supply variable — not a near-term Western source.
4= North Korea — 2,000 MT
North Korea produced 2,000 MT of tungsten in 2025, up 100 MT year-on-year, tying Russia as the fourth-largest producer. Output is centred on the Mannyŏn mine in North Hwanghae province, which has a nameplate capacity of 4,000 MT of tungsten oxide content but operates well below that level. Tungsten ore is North Korea’s second-highest export by value, estimated at USD 31.4 million in 2024, with China as the sole export destination.
Tungsten is one of the few metals not subject to UN sanctions on North Korean trade — a legacy of pre-2016 export volumes of just 50 MT that limited its profile at the time. North Korean-origin tungsten does not enter Western supply chains directly, but it feeds Chinese processing capacity, adding an indirect dimension to origin-tracing requirements for downstream buyers.
6. Bolivia — 1,700 MT
Bolivia produced 1,700 MT of tungsten in 2025, consistent with 2024 output. Mining is centred on the Himalaya mine in La Paz department, nationalised in 2012 and now operated by Empresa Minera Himalaya, a subsidiary of state-owned mining umbrella company Comibol. Bolivia accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports between 2021 and 2024, making it the most significant Latin American source for US buyers.
7. Rwanda — 1,300 MT
Rwanda produced 1,300 MT of tungsten in 2025. The principal operation is the Nyakabingo mine in Rulindo district, owned by Trinity Metals and backed by UK-based Techmet. In October 2025, Trinity began shipping tungsten concentrate from Nyakabingo to Global Tungsten and Powder’s processing facility in Pennsylvania — a direct Western supply chain link that has attracted procurement attention.
Rwanda’s supply chain status carries a compliance caveat. Tungsten is classified as a conflict mineral alongside tin, tantalum, and gold (3TG). A UN Security Council report has noted that Rwanda-backed groups have looted 3T minerals in eastern DRC and that these materials have been mixed with local Rwandan production. Buyers with supply chain due diligence obligations under EU or US conflict minerals rules should verify origin documentation at source.
8. Australia — 1,000 MT
Australia produced 1,000 MT of tungsten in 2025, up 80 MT year-on-year. Active operations include EQ Resources’ (ASX: EQR) Mount Carbine mine in North Queensland and Group 6 Metals’ (ASX: G6M) Dolphin mine on Tasmania, which returned to production in 2023. Tasmania Mines also operates the Kara tungsten mine. Australia holds 570,000 MT of USGS-reported tungsten reserves, though JORC-compliant reserves are reported at 220,000 MT.
Projects under development include Tivan’s (ASX: TVN) Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project in the Northern Territory, acquired from Thor Energy and Investigator Resources in 2025, and Tungsten Mining’s (ASX: TGN) Mount Mulgine and Watershed projects. Australia’s established mining regulation and proximity to Asian processing markets position it as a medium-term growth producer.
9. Austria — 840 MT
Austria produced 840 MT of tungsten in 2025, consistent with 2024, and is Europe’s second-largest producer by output. Production is concentrated at the Mittersill scheelite mine in Salzburg, operated by Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, a vertically integrated Austrian tungsten company. Mittersill hosts Europe’s largest scheelite deposit. Austria holds 10,000 MT of USGS-reported reserves.
10. Spain — 800 MT
Spain produced 800 MT of tungsten in 2025, up 100 MT year-on-year, and is Europe’s leading tungsten producer by country, ahead of Austria on that basis when considering Mittersill’s Austrian ownership. EQ Resources controls the Barruecopardo Mining and Processing operation in Salamanca province following its acquisition of Spanish tungsten producer Saloro in 2023. Almonty Industries (TSX: AII) holds the permitting-phase Valtreixal tungsten-tin project, while Eurobattery Minerals (NGM: BAT) is advancing the San Juan tungsten project towards production in H2 2026.
Spain and Portugal (estimated 500 MT, not in the USGS top 10 for 2025) are the two most active non-China tungsten jurisdictions in Europe, with multiple projects at advanced development or permitting stages. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act designates tungsten as a strategic raw material, which is accelerating permitting timelines and project finance interest across both countries.
The Outlook for Tungsten Producing Countries in 2026
China’s export control regime remains the defining variable for tungsten producing countries outside Beijing’s supply chain. The February 2025 licensing requirements reduced predictability for downstream buyers in Europe, Japan, and the US, and procurement teams are actively qualifying alternative APT sources. Kazakhstan’s Boguty ramp-up and Vietnam’s sustained Núi Pháo output are the most significant near-term supply additions. In the medium term, Australia’s project pipeline and South Korea’s Sangdong mine — operated by Almonty Industries and representing the restart of one of the world’s historically largest tungsten operations — are the most credible ex-China volume contributors. For current tungsten prices and APT benchmarks, see CMN’s tungsten price tracker. For the broader technology metals export control picture, see CMN’s Top 10 Technology Metals China Risk analysis.
Which country produces the most tungsten?
China is by far the largest tungsten producer, accounting for approximately 79 percent of global output in 2025 at 67,000 metric tons, according to USGS data. The next largest producers — Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Russia, and North Korea — each produce between 2,000 and 3,000 metric tons annually.
How did China’s 2025 export controls affect tungsten supply?
In February 2025, China imposed licensing requirements on tungsten exports including APT, powder, and cemented carbide products, in response to US tariff action. This tightened an already constrained export pipeline and accelerated buyer interest in alternative sources in Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Bolivia, and Rwanda.
Which tungsten producing countries supply the Western market?
Vietnam, Bolivia, and Rwanda together accounted for approximately 24 percent of US tungsten imports between 2021 and 2024. Australia and the European producers (Austria and Spain) supply primarily European and Asian markets. Kazakhstan’s Boguty mine is a new entrant and has not yet established Western supply chain offtake agreements publicly.
What are the largest tungsten reserves by country?
China holds the world’s largest tungsten reserves at an estimated 2.5 million metric tons, followed by Russia (400,000 MT), Australia (570,000 MT USGS-reported; 220,000 MT JORC-compliant), Vietnam (170,000 MT), and Spain (66,000 MT), per USGS 2025 data.
Is North Korean tungsten in Western supply chains?
North Korean tungsten is exported exclusively to China and does not enter Western supply chains directly. However, it feeds Chinese processing capacity. Buyers with conflict minerals or origin-tracing obligations should note the indirect dimension when assessing Chinese-origin APT provenance.
