China has dominated tungsten for decades. Can US cash in Central Asia loosen its grip?

AI Summary

US-backed mining projects in Kazakhstan are seeking to challenge China's longstanding dominance of the tungsten industry. The push has gained urgency as tungsten prices have surged more than 200% since May 2025, following Chinese export controls on selected products.

The race to loosen China’s grip on tungsten is moving to Kazakhstan, where United States-backed mining projects are attempting to compete in an industry where Chinese investment already has an operating foothold. Global tungsten prices have surged more than 200 per cent since May 2025, according to commodity and energy information provider Argus Media, adding urgency to efforts to develop alternative supplies. The soaring costs followed Beijing’s export controls on selected tungsten products...