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EP 179 | Tungsten – Part 1: Understanding the Price Surge and Global Supply Chain
10/14/2026
EP 179 | Tungsten – Part 1: Understanding the Price Surge and Global Supply Chain
In this episode of Snowden Optiro's Fresh Thinking podcast, Julian Aldridge, Regional Director – EMEAA, is joined by Melanie Bulley, Senior Consultant, and Laurie Hassall, Principal Consultant, for the first discussion in a two-part series on tungsten. The discussion examines tungsten from a market and supply chain perspective, with particular attention to the recent rise in APT prices and the factors affecting the availability of tungsten products. Topics discussed include: Ammonium paratungstate (APT), its role as an intermediate tungsten product and its use as a market price reference. The relationship between APT prices, tungsten concentrate and mine revenue, including payability considerations. China's role in tungsten mine production, concentrate consumption and downstream processing. The effects of Chinese export controls, US tariffs and defence procurement restrictions. Tungsten's strategic applications and the challenges associated with substitution. Responsible sourcing, conflict minerals requirements and 3TG traceability. Processing capacity outside China and its importance in developing non-Chinese tungsten supply chains. The contribution and limitations of tungsten recycling. The implications of recent APT price movements for new tungsten projects and long-term price assumptions. Part 2 will explore the technical aspects of tungsten projects, including deposit types, geology, mineralogy, assaying, metallurgy and Mineral Resource estimation.
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