China cuts supply of tungsten; price goes up

It is used to harden steel in ballistic missiles

The price of one of the most critical materials for the Western world’s economy and defenses is spiking faster than any major commodity.
 

Tungsten, used to harden steel in ballistic missiles and in drill bits, has surged more than 50 per cent in the past two months amid growing concern about supply cutbacks in China, where about 80 per cent of the metal comes from. The country is clamping down on polluting mines and enforcing production quotas.

“The Chinese have been trying to impose control over the production in tungsten,” said Mark Seddon, senior manager at