Tungsten Mine Predicts Major Wars. It's Opening Again
After decades of inactivity, a tungsten mine in Australia is reopening amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over supply chain dependence on China. Tungsten is a critical metal for military and defense applications, and the mine's revival reflects growing efforts by Western nations to secure strategic mineral supplies in anticipation of potential major conflicts.
Background
- Tungsten is a rare, dense metal essential for military manufacturing — used in armor-piercing ammunition, missiles, jet engines, and electronics. Its hardness and high melting point make it irreplaceable for defense industries.
- The article focuses on a major tungsten mine in Australia (likely the Dolphin Mine on King Island) that is reopening after decades. The mine was previously operated during the Cold War and shut down in the 1990s.
- The central argument is that surging demand for tungsten — driven by rearming nations and potential major-power conflict (especially involving China) — signals a shift toward large-scale war preparations.
- China currently dominates global tungsten supply (over 80% of production), creating a critical vulnerability for Western military supply chains. Reopening non-Chinese mines is part of a broader push to secure strategic minerals.
- The headline "Tungsten Mine Predicts Major Wars" reflects the historical pattern: tungsten mining booms have preceded or accompanied major 20th-century conflicts (WWI, WWII, Korean War).