The metal the modern world can't do without.

Tungsten is not a niche material for niche applications. It sits at the intersection of digital technology, energy transition and defence, three of the biggest themes of the next decade.

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Close-up of black crystalline mineral with shiny, striated surfaces and scattered translucent mineral fragments.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any known element, 3,422°C, and the highest tensile strength of all metals. In the form of tungsten carbide, it approaches the hardness of diamond. These properties make it irreplaceable across a wide range of applications.

Current landscape

A critical mineral at a critical moment

Global demand is rising fast, driven by EVs, renewable energy, semiconductors, and defence. Meanwhile, China has continued the long running trend of reducing exports and has become a large and growing importer of tungsten concentrate. The market is tightening at exactly the wrong moment.

Aerial view of a large array of blue solar panels arranged in a grid formation.

The Problem

Roughly 80% of global tungsten supply has historically come from one country. Britain imports every tonne it uses, with no control over the supply chain that underpins its manufacturing, defence, and energy sectors.

The UK government recognised this when it formally designated tungsten a critical mineral under its Critical Minerals Strategy, identifying domestic supply as a national priority.

The Solution

The Hemerdon deposit is one of the largest known tungsten resources globally, and it’s outside China.
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The infrastructure exists, the geology is understood, and Tungsten West is here to bring it into full production, giving the UK a secure, sovereign source for the first time.

The concentrate goes out for midstream refining and comes back as finished tungsten products, supporting British industry, defence, and renewable energy.

Built into, and used to build, everything that matters

Semiconductors & AI

Tungsten is used as a key interconnect metal within integrated circuits, including advanced memory and logic chips. Tungsten hexafluoride (WF₆) is a key compound in semiconductor manufacturing. Demand is growing alongside the broader expansion of semiconductor manufacturing.

Renewable Energy

Solar PV manufacturing is one of the fastest-growing demand drivers for tungsten. Tungsten wire is rapidly replacing steel wire for cutting silicon wafers, enabling thinner wafers and higher yields. This segment is growing at an estimated 40–50% per year.

Mining & Construction

The largest traditional end market for tungsten. Cemented carbide cutting tools and drill bits rely on tungsten carbide for hardness and durability, essential to construction and mining industries worldwide.

Nuclear Fusion

Tungsten is used in plasma-facing components in fusion reactors due to its extreme heat tolerance. As investment in commercial nuclear fusion grows, tungsten demand from this sector is expected to rise.

Defence

Tungsten alloys are used extensively in defence applications. Demand from Western defence industries is growing as governments seek to reduce reliance on supply from a single dominant source.

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Whether you're looking to invest in a world-class mineral asset or build a career in the heart of Devon, there's a place for you in the Hemerdon story.

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