Scmp iconScmpOct 3, 2026

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

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

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

Share this story

Send the public story page.

Keep reading in the app

Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.

Open in app