Business · Energy & Commodities · 4 hrs ago
South Korea's Sangdong tungsten mine prepares to resume production
South Korea's Sangdong tungsten mine has restarted after 32 years in Gangwon province, where the mine once supported a thriving mining town.
Tungsten is a hard, heat-resistant metal used in semiconductors, aerospace, defence and cutting tools.
China supplies more than 80% of the world's tungsten, and competition to secure supplies has raised interest in alternatives.
The mine plans to process 640,000 tonnes of ore a year and produce 2,300 tonnes of concentrate in its first stage.
More than 90% of that output is contracted to a US processor under a 21-year deal, so restarting the mine will not immediately make South Korea self-sufficient.
The company says it aims to build a tungsten-processing plant in South Korea and expand production, while the local government is seeking support for domestic refining and reuse of mining waste.
Commercial production depends on completing safety and other steps by year-end, including work on returning waste rock to the mine tunnels.
South Korea’s Sangdong tungsten mine is preparing to begin commercial production after being closed for 32 years.
The mine plans to process 640,000 tonnes of ore a year and produce 2,300 tonnes of concentrate in its first phase.
More than 90% of the first-phase concentrate is covered by a 21-year supply agreement with US processor GTP.
Commercial production depends on completing procedures for safely using mine tailings to backfill underground workings.
The mine’s restart could support a new tungsten supply source, but South Korea lacks domestic facilities to process the concentrate.
- Who
- Almonty Korea Tungsten is restarting the Sangdong mine.
- What
- The mine is preparing to begin commercial tungsten production.
- When
- It closed in 1994; commercial production is expected after remaining procedures are completed by the end of the year.
- Where
- Sangdong, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, South Korea.
- Why
- Tungsten demand and efforts to secure strategic mineral supplies have raised interest in the mine.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Redevelopment of the mine began, including the excavation of two new tunnels.
The mine closed after low-cost Chinese products and falling international prices affected its business.
Full-scale mining began.
The company expects to complete procedures related to the safety of backfilling mine tailings and begin commercial production.
- First-phase ore processing
- 640,000 tonnes a year
- First-phase concentrate output
- 2,300 tonnes a year
- Supply agreement
- More than 90% of first-phase concentrate for 21 years to US processor GTP
- Estimated ore resources
- 58 million tonnes
- Tungsten oxide grade
- Average 0.43%
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