Why Tungsten?

A mineral specimen with dark, shiny, layered crystal formations and a rough, textured base.

Uses

Tungsten has extreme physical characteristics - the hardest metal & the highest melting point of all metals.Tungsten is indispensable to industries requiring materials with high durability and heat resistance. Its primary applications include:

  • Aerospace & Defense: Used in military equipment and aviation due to its hardness and heat resistance.

  • AI & Electronics: Used in semiconductor manufacturing and in high-temperature components within data centre hardware.

  • Manufacturing: Crucial for cutting tools, mining, and drilling equipment.

  • Energy: Vital in components used in the technologies for the green energy transformation.

Bar chart showing tungsten market size from 2020 to 2030 in millions of USD, with segments for automotive, mining & energy, aerospace & defense, electronics & robotics, construction, and others.

The Tungsten Market

The global tungsten market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by demand in the defense, technology, and energy sectors. Coupled with supply restrictions and geopolitical tensions, there is a tight supply of western tungsten.

Together China (84%), Vietnam (6%) and Russia (3%) comprise ~93% of global primary supply and from January 2026, the US Department of Defense is banning the import of Tungsten from China, as well as from Russia.

As one of the world's hardest materials, tungsten plays an essential role in the global supply chain. Australia, with its rich tungsten deposits, is poised to become a critical player in meeting this demand and Firestone Metals is proud to support Australia’s role in supplying tungsten to global markets.

Bar chart showing the economic importance of various raw materials, with tungsten having the highest importance among them. To the right, a list shows the distribution of these materials in end markets, including automotive, mining, industrial, energy, construction, aerospace, consumer, defense, and other.

Critical Minerals Strategy

Tungsten is identified as a critical mineral in Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy, which highlights its strategic importance to modern technologies, national security and economic stability. Firestone Metals is committed to contributing to this initiative by ensuring the development of reliable, sustainable tungsten production for both domestic and international markets.