Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects

    Chinese buyers drive US tungsten scrap bidding war: price signals for mine planners

    June 9, 2026|

    Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

    Chinese buyers drive US tungsten scrap bidding war: price signals for mine planners

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    Chinese traders are driving a bidding war for US tungsten scrap, with Argus Media data showing scrap prices up 350% since May 2025, outpacing a 200% rise in tungsten metal and pushing ammonium paratungstate to record highs in late April. Dealers report offers at up to five times normal market prices as Chinese buyers bypass domestic recyclers and route material via recycling hubs in the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea to circumvent China’s scrap import ban. The scramble comes amid Chinese export controls on tungsten products and US plans for up to $1.6 billion support for a Kazakhstan tungsten mine to diversify supply.

    Technical Brief

    • China’s mined and refined tungsten output exceeds 50% of global production, yet is constrained by quotas.
    • US scrapyards report direct approaches from Chinese traders, bypassing established domestic recycling channels and contracts.
    • Some US dealers describe premiums at “up to five times” usual tungsten scrap market levels.
    • Environmental rules in China ban direct tungsten scrap imports, so processing is shifted to offshore recyclers.
    • Project Blue data show rising US tungsten scrap exports to hubs in the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea.

    Our Take

    In our database of tungsten items, the only other large financing move this year is Almonty Industries’ US$700 million note issue, suggesting primary mine developers are positioning to capture the same tightness now visible in US tungsten scrap pricing.

    The mention of a US-backed US$1.6 billion support package for a Kazakhstan tungsten project signals that Washington is willing to underwrite non‑US supply chains, which could blunt China’s leverage over scrap but also lock US industry into long‑haul logistics for ammonium paratungstate and related products.

    With zinc and semi‑processed zinc concentrates also referenced alongside tungsten in this piece, the Castellanos project in Cuba sits in a basket of polymetallic assets that could become more strategic if scrap‑driven price spikes push manufacturers to secure long‑term concentrates rather than rely on secondary feed.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    South32’s 61% Sierra Gorda reserve lift: life-of-mine and plant planning notes
    Mining
    about 12 hours ago

    South32’s 61% Sierra Gorda reserve lift: life-of-mine and plant planning notes

    South32 has lifted the Sierra Gorda ore reserve in Chile by 61% to 1.1 billion tonnes at 0.39% total copper, 0.016% molybdenum and 0.06 g/t gold (0.46% CuEq), extending reserve life by about five years to 2045 after 85,000 metres of infill drilling from 200 holes. The updated MRE now stands at 1.87 billion tonnes at 0.37% copper (0.44% CuEq), with the orebody remaining open at depth and additional potential at the Catabela Northeast target. A fourth grinding line, approved in July, is expected to lift copper output by roughly 30% from 2031, reinforcing long-term concentrator planning and infrastructure requirements.

    Agnico’s C$57M Radisson stake: O’Brien gold mine access and PEA lens for engineers
    Mining
    about 12 hours ago

    Agnico’s C$57M Radisson stake: O’Brien gold mine access and PEA lens for engineers

    Agnico Eagle Mines is investing C$57.2 million in Radisson Mining Resources for a 10.5%–14.9% stake to advance underground access and infrastructure at the historic O’Brien gold mine in Quebec’s Bousquet-Cadillac camp along the Larder Lake-Cadillac Break. Funding will support an access ramp, underground workings, surface facilities and water management, complementing Radisson’s fully funded 140,000-metre surface drilling and a planned 11-year underground operation with toll milling at IAMGOLD’s Doyon plant. A July 2025 PEA at US$3,300/oz gold pegs O’Brien’s after-tax NPV5 at C$871 million with a 74% IRR, underpinned by recent intercepts such as 5.1 m at 316.31 g/t from 823 m.

    Top of Mine: Costa’s AI-through-mining thesis and what it means for project teams
    Mining
    about 12 hours ago

    Top of Mine: Costa’s AI-through-mining thesis and what it means for project teams

    Otavio (Tavi) Costa, founder and CEO of Azuria Capital, argues that mining equities are currently the cheapest way to gain AI exposure, as sovereign funds and governments re-rate the sector and mid-tier producers move to secure “strategic reserves” by acquiring high-quality junior assets. He links this to a macro backdrop where global debt has returned to World War II levels but only about 3% of the US Treasury market is now backed by gold, versus roughly 50% then. With spot gold at $4,673.20/oz, Costa expects reserve depletion, weak discoveries and a “global monetary race towards gold” to drive prices substantially higher.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental