It is not often that a material hidden deep in supply chains becomes the quiet hinge of a global transition. Tungsten sits in that position today, rarely in the spotlight yet embedded in some of the most demanding technologies.
The distinctive quality of tungsten lies in its unmatched physical properties. With the highest melting point of any metal and an extraordinary level of hardness, it remains stable where other materials fail. This makes it indispensable in applications that cannot afford weakness or wear, from cutting tools and drilling equipment to aerospace alloys and precision electronics. The same qualities are increasingly relevant in energy storage, where the demands of durability and efficiency converge.
These industrial realities are colliding with another factor that should not be overlooked by investors, and that is supply security. Tungsten is recognised as a critical mineral in Canada, the United States, and Europe, largely because of its concentrated production in China. This concentration creates a vulnerability at a time when demand is expanding into new energy systems, transport electrification, and advanced manufacturing. The strategic importance of developing stable non-Chinese supply chains is now widely acknowledged, but it remains an emerging rather than fully resolved story. Companies working to establish new mines or redevelop past-producing sites in stable jurisdictions stand to benefit from this dynamic, as long-term buyers increasingly prioritise secure sourcing.
Great Western Mining Corporation Plc (LON:GWMO) is a mineral exploration and development company, incorporated in Ireland with operations in the USA.
