Regional Distribution of World Tungsten Ore Resources
Feb 01, 2024
Global Geological Belts
The world's tungsten resources are mainly concentrated in the Alps-Himalayas and the Pacific Rim geological belts. China is located in these two geological belts, so it is rich in tungsten reserves and ranks first in the world. China's tungsten ore is mainly distributed on the eastern coast of Guangdong on both sides of the Nanling Mountains, with the largest reserves in the southern part of Jiangxi Province, accounting for more than half of the world's tungsten reserves.
Major Producing Countries
China: the largest reserves, concentrated in the Nanling region. Canada: mines mainly concentrated in the Selwyn tungsten belt, with the most commercially valuable deposits located in British Columbia's Cassiar bedrock and the extension of the MacMillan deposits toward the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories border.
Reserve Data
According to data released by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015, global tungsten resource reserves were about 3.3 million tons, and China had the largest tungsten resource reserves at 1.9 million tons, accounting for about 58 percent of the global total. It is followed by Canada (290,000 tons), and the United States (140,000 tons). Other countries with richer tungsten reserves include Bolivia (53,000 tons), Australia (10,000 tons), and Portugal (about 42,000 tons).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the world's tungsten resources concentrated? In the Alps-Himalayas and Pacific Rim geological belts.
How much of the world's tungsten does China hold? about 58 percent of global reserves per the cited USGS data.
What are the other major reserve holders? Canada, and the United States, followed by Bolivia, Australia, and Portugal.
Where are China's tungsten reserves concentrated? China's tungsten ore is mainly distributed on the eastern coast of Guangdong on both sides of the Nanling Mountains, with the largest reserves in the southern part of Jiangxi Province, accounting for more than half of the world's tungsten reserves.
Where are Canada's tungsten mines located? Canadian mines are concentrated in the Selwyn tungsten belt, with the most commercially valuable deposits in British Columbia's Cassiar bedrock and the MacMillan deposits extending toward the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories border.
