Restart of the Sangdong Tunsgten mine

After more than three decades of inactivity, the historic Sangdong Tungsten Mine in South Korea has officially returned to production.

A strategic turning point for global tungsten supply chains

Almonty Industries Inc. has informed that it has successfully completed Phase 1 commissioning of the project, transitioning Sangdong from redevelopment into active production. This milestone reintroduces one of the world’s historically most significant tungsten operations into the global supply landscape, this time as a modern, strategically positioned underground mining system.

The scale of the operation is already notable. Phase 1 enables processing of approximately 640,000 tonnes of ore annually, producing around 2,300 tonnes of tungsten concentrate. However, the real strategic impact lies ahead. With Phase 2, planned for 2027 capacity is expected to double to 1.2 million tonnes of ore, translating into c.a. of 4,600 tonnes of tungsten concentrate annually. At full capacity, Sangdong is projected to supply nearly 40% of tungsten demand outside China, a figure that fundamentally reshapes the geopolitical balance of this critical mineral.

 Why Sangdong matters more than ever

Tungsten is indispensable across defense, energy, and high-performance industrial applications. Yet today, approximately 88% of global supply is concentrated in China. The restart of Sangdong directly addresses one of the most pressing vulnerabilities in global supply chains: overdependence on a single jurisdiction.

Beyond scale, the project stands out for its ore quality and longevity. With an average grade of  approximately 0.51% WO₃, roughly three times the global average, and a projected mine life exceeding 45 years, Sangdong represents not just a short-term supply boost, but a long-term strategic asset.

The redevelopment itself reflects a decade-long effort, with over $100 million invested since 2015. The project now integrates modern underground infrastructure, including approximately four kilometers of tunnel development, advanced processing systems with SAG and ball mills, and digital operational monitoring.

From mine to strategic value chain: the “Korean Trinity”

The commissioning ceremony, attended by senior representatives of the South Korean government and the U.S. diplomatic community, highlights the broader geopolitical relevance of this project. But Sangdong is more than a mine. It is the cornerstone of a broader industrial vision: an integrated tungsten value chain spanning mining, refining, and advanced materials processing. This concept—referred to as the “Korean Trinity”, includes future expansion into tungsten oxide production and development of the adjacent molybdenum deposit.

CEO Perspective

Lewis Black, Chairman, President & CEO of Almonty, stated: “The completion of Phase 1 at the Sangdong Tungsten Mine marks the culmination of more than a decade of investment and development. This is a significant milestone in the effort by the United States and its allies to diversify supply chains for critical minerals away from China, which currently produces approximately 88% of the world’s tungsten supply. With commissioning now complete, our focus turns to optimizing throughput and advancing toward full commercial production.”

He further added: “Looking ahead, the Phase 2 expansion and the development of our tungsten oxide facility and the adjacent Sangdong Molybdenum deposit will form the foundation of what we refer to as the ‘Korean Trinity’ – a fully integrated strategic-mineral value chain that positions South Korea as a global hub for the production, refining, and upgrading of tungsten. This will directly support U.S. defense procurement requirements mandating non-China tungsten sourcing after 2027 and significantly enhance resource security for the U.S. and its allies.”

Big Picture

The restart of Sangdong is not simply a mining milestone, it is a signal of structural change in how critical minerals are sourced, processed, and secured.

In an era defined by supply chain resilience, geopolitical alignment, and sustainability standards, projects like Sangdong are no longer optional, they are essential.