The Fujian Provincial Department of Natural Resources recently announced that the Tungsten Exploration Project in the Sanjingjue tungsten mine of Shaowu City and the 1:50,000 Songkouping Regional Mineral Geological Survey Project in Fujian have both passed their field inspections with an excellent rating.
Tungsten mine picture
The Tungsten Exploration Project in the Sanjingjue Mining Area of Shaowu City, undertaken by the Fujian Minbei Geological Brigade, is a strategic mineral exploration project commissioned by the Provincial Department of Natural Resources in 2024. The project identified two tungsten mineralization zones within the mining area, discovering 10 industrial tungsten ore bodies with significant thicknesses, accompanied by associated metals such as copper and molybdenum. This has expanded the prospecting potential in the region, with preliminary estimates suggesting tungsten resources may exceed a medium-sized scale.
Tungsten, a rare and strategic metal, is characterized by its high melting point, high density, and excellent chemical and thermodynamic properties, making it widely used across various fields. It plays a critical role in the production of cemented carbide, where its high melting temperature, density, and wear resistance make it a core material for tools and drill bits. In aerospace, tungsten is used to manufacture high-temperature components like engine nozzles and furnace parts.
Tungsten mine picture
Recently, tungsten prices have been steadily rising, drawing significant attention from industry stakeholders. According to CTIA GROUP LTD, as of May 20, 2025, the price of 65% wolframite concentrate is 168,000 yuan/standard ton, ammonium paratungstate (APT) is 246,000 yuan/ton, tungsten powder is 360 yuan/kg, tungsten carbide powder is 355 yuan/kg, and 70% ferrotungsten is 248,000 yuan/ton.
The 1:50,000 Songkouping Regional Mineral Geological Survey Project in Fujian preliminarily identified 20 magnetic anomaly zones, inferred 36 faults, and delineated 23 comprehensive anomalies. Based on geophysical and geochemical results, mineral inspections were conducted in five key areas, including Hengkou, identifying two iron ore bodies, one rare earth ore body, and one fluorite ore body.
Rare earths, encompassing 17 metallic elements including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium, are dubbed the "vitamins of modern industry" due to their unique optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. Their significance lies in their role as core materials in high-tech industries such as smartphones, electric vehicle motors, and fiber-optic communications; as critical components in green energy technologies like rare earth permanent magnet direct-drive wind turbines and EV battery systems; and in driving innovation in advanced fields like superconductivity, quantum computing, and laser technology—e.g., yttrium aluminum garnet laser crystals are essential for industrial cutting.
