America has a tungsten problem

Reserves, resources, and “tungsten everywhere”

• Several comments clarify that “reserves” are economically viable deposits, not total in‑ground metal.
• The Wikipedia list of largest reserves (China, Canada, Russia, etc.) doesn’t contradict the claim that tungsten is widely distributed; it just reflects where proven, economic deposits are currently developed.
• Reserves strongly depend on exploration effort, prices, regulation, and feasibility studies; little exploration or hostile permitting ⇒ low “reserves” even if geology is favorable.

Why China dominates mining and refining

• Consensus: China’s dominance stems from low historical labor costs, laxer environmental regulation, political support, and heavy state planning/subsidies in mining and refining.
• Some argue China largely learned by hosting Western firms and copying; others counter that in areas like rare earths and certain refining technologies, China built significant indigenous capability and now leads.
• Commenters note China’s broader strategy to control critical minerals and use export controls as a geopolitical tool; its own tungsten reserves are said to be depleting, tightening future policy.

US/EU choices: environment, cost, and NIMBY

• The US has numerous tungsten deposits and past mines, but essentially no current production; high costs, strict environmental rules, and litigation risk make domestic projects uncompetitive.
• Debate over environmental review: one side calls delays “ridiculous” and self‑inflicted; the other cites past Superfund disasters as proof that rigorous, faster but real review is essential.
• Many see outsourcing mining as a way for rich countries to enjoy clean local environments while exporting pollution and dangerous work. Others stress this was mutually beneficial and welcomed by China and consumers.

Economic impact and strategic risk

• Calculations in the thread suggest that even a many‑fold tungsten price spike would be macro‑economically small compared to, say, oil shocks, though painful for specific industries.
• Still, given tungsten’s military and industrial uses, some argue market forces alone won’t ensure secure supply; classic response would be state-owned or heavily subsidized mines, refineries, and stockpiles—rarely discussed seriously in the US today.

Fusion, future demand, and recycling

• Some comments are skeptical that fusion will drive large tungsten demand soon, arguing practical power plants remain distant; others think newer fusion efforts are closer to net gain than before.
• Questions are raised about how tungsten in fusion reactors would be “consumed” (e.g., neutron damage and transmutation) and about recyclability; details are noted as underexplored.

Mining startups, cycles, and speculation

• Users point to inactive US tungsten mines and “patriotic” tungsten/antimony startups, with some skepticism that these firms focus more on raising capital than producing metal.
• Broader point: metals markets are highly cyclical. Price swings cause mines to open/close, and China’s ability to smooth prices via planning is contrasted with more chaotic Western boom–bust responses.