Tungsten - Production, Reserves & Supply Concentration
A dense, high-melting-point metal used in cutting tools, hard materials and specialised alloys.Production and reserves are measured by tungsten content. Concentrates supply the processing chain for tungsten metal and carbide products.
Tungsten Global Production & Country Share
Measure: Mine production (metric tons)
Tungsten Production by Country (2020-2025)
Mine production · Unit: metric tons
| Rank | Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e | Share | 5Y Chg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | China | 66,000 | 71,000 | 66,000 | 63,000 | 67,000 | 67,000 | 78.8% | +1.5% |
| #2 | Vietnam | 4,500 | 4,800 | 4,000 | 3,500 | 3,400 | 3,000 | 3.5% | -33.3% |
| #3 | Kazakhstan | - | - | - | - | 0 | 2,400 | 2.8% | - |
| #4 | North Korea | 410 | 400 | 1,520 | 1,700 | 1,900 | 2,000 | 2.4% | +387.8% |
| #4 | Russia | 2,400 | 2,300 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 2,000 | 2.4% | -16.7% |
| #6 | Bolivia | 1,350 | 1,563 | 1,360 | 1,500 | 1,700 | 1,700 | 2.0% | +25.9% |
| #7 | Rwanda | 860 | 1,340 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1.5% | +51.2% |
| #8 | Australia | - | - | 200 | 800 | 920 | 1,000 | 1.2% | - |
| #9 | Austria | 890 | 900 | 910 | 910 | 840 | 840 | 1.0% | -5.6% |
| #10 | Spain | 500 | 400 | 800 | 1,500 | 700 | 800 | 0.9% | +60.0% |
| #11 | Portugal | 550 | 502 | 500 | 500 | 650 | 700 | 0.8% | +27.3% |
| - | World Total | 78,400 | 83,800 | 79,800 | 78,000 | 82,000 | 85,000 | 100.0% | +8.4% |
Tungsten Proven Reserves by Country (2025)
Basis: Reserves · Unit: metric tons · Global Implied Reserve Life: 55.3 years
| Rank | Country | Reserves (metric tons) | World Share | USGS Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | China | 2,500,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #2 | Australia | 570,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. - For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equivalent reserves were 220,000 tons. |
| #3 | Russia | 400,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #4 | Vietnam | 170,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #5 | Spain | 66,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #6 | North Korea | 29,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #7 | Austria | 10,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #8 | Portugal | 3,400 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| - | World Total Reserves | 4,700,000 | 100.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
U.S. Supply, Consumption & Net Import Reliance (2021-2025)
| Salient Measure | Unit | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tungsten: Production: Mine | metric tons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tungsten: Production: Secondary | metric tons | W | W | W | W | W |
| Tungsten: Imports for consumption: Ores and concentrates | metric tons | 1,600 | 2,130 | 1,640 | 1,550 | 1,700 |
| Tungsten: Imports for consumption: Other forms | metric tons | 10,500 | 12,200 | 10,000 | 8,730 | 10,000 |
| Tungsten: Exports: Ores and concentrates | metric tons | 441 | 614 | 1,510 | 1,410 | 1,400 |
| Tungsten: Exports: Other forms | metric tons | 2,970 | 3,680 | 3,180 | 3,480 | 3,300 |
| Tungsten: Consumption: Reported, concentrate | metric tons | W | W | W | W | W |
| Tungsten: Consumption: Apparent, all forms | metric tons | W | W | W | W | W |
| Tungsten: U.S. Net Import Reliance | % of consumption | >50% | >50% | >50% | >50% | >50% |
Frequently Asked Questions - Tungsten
Which country leads tungsten production (mine production)?
China leads the 2025 USGS country table for mine production, with 67,000 metric tons (estimated) (78.8% of the reported world total). World output was 85,000 metric tons in 2025.
Which country holds the largest reported tungsten reserves?
China ranks first in the USGS reserve table, with 2,500,000 metric tons (Reserves) against a reported world total of >4,700,000 metric tons.
What is US net import reliance and import sourcing for tungsten?
In 2025, US net import reliance was reported at >50% (Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption). Across 2021-24, leading US import sources (Ores, concentrates, and other forms) were China (26%), Germany (14%), Bolivia (8%).
How is tungsten classified on the US Critical Minerals List and what are its primary uses?
Status: Listed on 2025 US List (2022 & 2025 lists). Primary applications cited in USGS summaries include: Cemented tungsten carbide cutting tools, mining and drilling bits, high-density penetrators, and high-temperature mill products. Tungsten ores (scheelite and wolframite) are mined and chemically processed into ammonium paratungstate (APT), tungsten oxide, and tungsten carbide powder. Country tables measure metric tons of contained elemental tungsten (W).