China’s tungsten curbs widen Western prices to nearly four times China’s
China’s export controls and US supply-chain policies have split the tungsten market, with Rotterdam ammonium paratungstate (APT) trading at €256 per kg ($278.22) in October, versus €68 per kg ($74.43) for China ex-works, according to MetalMiner’s report cited by MINING.COM. Nikkei Asia separately reports that Chinese export controls have disrupted supplies of micro drill bits, components used in the AI chip supply chain.
Bottom line — MetalMiner puts Rotterdam APT at 3.74 times China’s October price, as access to traceable processing capacity becomes a key constraint.
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MetalMiner says the Rotterdam-to-China price multiple averaged 1.24 from September 2021 to June 2025 and widened sharply in 2026.
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From March to September 2026, China ex-works APT prices fell 58%, while Rotterdam APT prices rose 39%, according to MetalMiner.
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Nikkei Asia reports that export controls on tungsten have disrupted supplies of micro drill bits used in making AI chips.
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MetalMiner says China’s export licensing restrictions took effect in February 2025; the report links them to a market split.
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A US procurement restriction covering certain tungsten products is due to take effect on 1 January 2027, according to MetalMiner and Stockhead.
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Stockhead reports that American Tungsten & Antimony is assessing concentrate samples for a proposed 100-tonne-per-year US refining circuit; the plan remains under development.
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Stockhead says the proposed larger US tungsten project could process up to 5,000 tonnes per year, subject to further study and development.
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