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Tungsten is a chemical element; it has symbol W and atomic number 74. Tungsten is a rare metal found naturally on Earth almost exclusively as compounds with other elements. It was identified as a new element in 1781 and first isolated as a metal in 1783. Its important ores include scheelite and wolframite, the latter lending the element its alternative name.
Wolframite is an iron, manganese, and tungstate mineral with a chemical formula of (Fe,Mn)WO4 that is the intermediate mineral between ferberite (Fe2+ rich) and hübnerite (Mn2+ rich). Along with scheelite, the wolframite series are the most important tungsten ore minerals. Wolframite is found in quartz veins and pegmatites associated with granitic intrusives. Associated minerals include cassiterite, scheelite, bismuth, quartz, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite.
Cantung Mine is a tungsten producer in the Nahanni area of the Northwest Territories, Canada, located northeast of Watson Lake in the Flat River Valley of the Selwyn Range close to the Yukon border. Tungsten was originally discovered in the area in 1954 by prospectors. Cantung Mine operated from 1962 to 1986, again from 2002 to 2003, and from 2005. Production was suspended from October 2009 to October 2010. The mine owner, North American Tungsten Corporation, went bankrupt in 2015 and the mine closed in October of that year. The federal government of Canada now owns the mine and has to clean up the site. As of December, 2017, the mine remained closed, with the possibility of being opened to process a nearby lithium deposit. As of February 2019, the mine is still closed; the federal and NWT governments are trying to sell it.
Burundi is a producer of columbium (niobium) and tantalum ore, tin ore, and tungsten ore, and some deposits of gold which are designated for export. Burundi has resources of copper, cobalt, nickel, feldspar, phosphate rock, quartzite, and rare reserves of uranium, and vanadium. The country is also a producer of limestone, peat, sand and gravel for domestic consumption and as building materials. As of 2005, manufacturing accounted for 8% of the country's gross domestic product.
Mining in the United Kingdom produces a wide variety of fossil fuels, metals, and industrial minerals due to its complex geology. In 2013, there were over 2,000 active mines, quarries, and offshore drilling sites on the continental land mass of the United Kingdom producing £34bn of minerals and employing 36,000 people.
The Myszków mine is a large mine in the centre of Poland in Myszków, Myszków County, 258 km south-west of the capital, Warsaw. Myszków represents one of the largest copper and silver reserve in Poland having estimated reserves of 1,334 million tonnes of ore grading 0.15% copper and 2.37 g/tonnes silver. The 1.334 billion tonnes of ore contains 2 million tonnes of copper metal and around 3,200 tonnes of silver but the deposit also grades 0.07% molybdenum that contains 934,000 tonnes of molybdenum metal and 0.05% tungsten that contains 667,000 tonnes of tungsten metal.
The Tabuaço mine is a large open pit mine located in the eastern part of Portugal in Norte Region. Tabuaço represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Portugal having estimated reserves of 2.72 million tonnes of ore grading 0.57% tungsten.
The Barruecopardo mine is a large open pit mine located in the western part of Spain in Province of Salamanca. Barruecopardo represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Spain having estimated reserves of 10.9 million tonnes of ore grading 0.45% tungsten.
The La Parrilla mine is a large mine located in the north-western part of Spain in Province of Valladolid. La Parrilla represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Spain having estimated reserves of 30 million tonnes of ore grading 0.11% tungsten.
The Mar mine is a large open pit mine located in the western part of Canada in Yukon. Mar represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Canada having estimated reserves of 5.31 million tonnes of ore grading 0.39% tungsten.
The Målviken mine is a large open pit mine located near Mosjøen in the northern part of Norway in Nordland. Målviken represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Norway having estimated reserves of 2.51 million tonnes of ore grading 0.9% tungsten.
The Currais Novos mine is a large open pit mine located in Rio Grande do Norte state of Brazil. Its purpose is the recovery of tungsten from two tailings piles, from the Barra Verde and Boca de Laje mines. Currais Novos represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Brazil having estimated reserves of 4.31 million tonnes of ore grading 0.1% tungsten.
The Nui Phao mine is a large open pit mine located in the northern part of Vietnam in Thái Nguyên Province. Nui Phao represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Vietnam having estimated reserves of 55.4 million tonnes of ore grading 0.21% tungsten.
The Dolphin mine is a large open pit and underground mine located in the Bass Strait on King Island, Tasmania, Australia. Dolphin represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Australia having estimated reserves of 2.7 million tonnes of ore grading 1.04% tungsten.
The Watershed mine is a large open pit mine located about 160 km northwest of Cairns on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. Watershed represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Australia having estimated reserves of 15.1 million tonnes of ore grading 0.46% tungsten.
The Mt Lindsay mine is a former tin mine located in the northwest of Tasmania, Australia. Mt Lindsay represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Australia, having estimated reserves of 43 million tonnes of ore grading 0.1% tungsten. 40 million tonnes would support a 10-year mining operation. The mine is owned by Venture Minerals.
The Nyamuliro mine is a large open pit mine located in the south western part of Uganda in Western Region. Nyamuliro represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Uganda having estimated reserves of 10 million tonnes of ore grading 0.5% tungsten.
The Ruhijha mine is a large open pit mine located in the northeastern part of Uganda in Eastern Region. Ruhijha represents one of the largest tungsten reserves in Uganda having estimated reserves of 30 million tonnes of ore grading 0.5% tungsten.
The participation of Galicia (Spain) in World War II was marked by its location on Spain's Atlantic coast and its mines. Despite the neutrality of Spain during World War II, the country was affected due to its strategic location. The tungsten mines, such as the Mines of San Fins, were used for the Axis war industry. Extraction and transport of the mineral was carried out by front companies, such as the Finance and Industrial Corporation.
Almonty Industries is a global mining company focused on tungsten mining and exploration. Its primary operations are in Spain, Portugal, and South Korea. The company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
References
- ↑ "Taoxiken Mine". zy-tungsten.com. 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-05.