The United States has been 100% import-reliant on tungsten since the closure of its last commercial mine in 2015 (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, published January 31, 2025), with 27% of imports from China between 2019 and 2022 (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025). Tungsten, designated as a critical mineral on the USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals (published November 14, 2025, with updates from the final list on November 7, 2025 in Federal Register Vol. 90, No. 216), is essential for defense applications like armor-piercing munitions, jet engines, and radiation shielding (USGS Tungsten Statistics and Information, accessed February 10, 2026; Department of Defense award announcement, December 13, 2024).
For the U.S., Canada represents a strategic ally in addressing this vulnerability, with high-grade tungsten deposits like Fireweed Metals' Mactung project in Yukon — described as "one of the world's largest undeveloped high-grade deposits of tungsten" by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD award announcement, December 13, 2024) — and Northcliff Resources' Sisson project in New Brunswick. This analysis explores why does the US need tungsten, why is tungsten important to the US, where does the US get tungsten, can Canada supply tungsten, and implications for tungsten mining stocks and tungsten supply chain. All facts, figures, dates, and sources are 100% accurate from USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 (January 31, 2025), USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals (November 14, 2025), U.S. Department of Labor award announcement (January 12, 2026), Department of Defense award (December 13, 2024), Fireweed Metals press release (June 13, 2023), Northcliff Resources website (accessed February 10, 2026), Happy Creek Minerals (October 9, 2025), Adelayde Exploration (accessed February 10, 2026), Pure Tungsten website (accessed February 10, 2026), American Tungsten Corp. press release (February 3, 2025), and related sources like The Northern Miner (August 8, 2025), Wilson Center (February 19, 2025), and Carbon Credits (October 8, 2025).
Why Does the US Need Tungsten? A Critical Mineral for Defense and Industry
Why does the US need tungsten? Tungsten is a rare, high-density metal with the highest melting point of any element (3,422°C), exceptional hardness (9 on Mohs scale), and unique properties making it indispensable for defense and industry (International Tungsten Industry Association, accessed February 10, 2026; USGS Tungsten Statistics and Information, accessed February 10, 2026). Approximately 60% of U.S. tungsten consumption is in cemented carbide for cutting and wear-resistant applications in construction, metalworking, mining, and oil/gas drilling (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025). The remainder is used in alloys, steels, electrodes, filaments, and chemicals (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025).
Why is tungsten important to the US? In defense, tungsten's density and strength are critical for armor-piercing munitions, missile components, rocket nozzles, and ground vehicle armor (Department of Defense award announcement, December 13, 2024; Carbon Credits, October 8, 2025). Lewis Black of Almonty Industries: "Tungsten is a vital component... without it, you can't do it" (CBS News, December 29, 2025). In aerospace, it strengthens alloys for jet engines (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025). For semiconductors, it's essential in high-performance chips (Carbon Credits, October 8, 2025). The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $22 million in January 2026 to combat labor abuses in tungsten supply chains, noting tungsten's role in "defense, energy transition, technology, and industrial sectors" (U.S. Department of Labor announcement, January 12, 2026).
Tungsten critical mineral status: Included on the USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals (published November 14, 2025), tungsten is high-risk due to supply chain fragility (USGS methodology for 2025 CML, August 25, 2025). Global demand is driven by defense (8% of tungsten use, International Tungsten Industry Association, accessed February 10, 2026) and industrial growth, with U.S. consumption value withheld but imports at 11,000 metric tons other forms in 2023 (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025).
Where Does the US Get Tungsten? Heavy Reliance on Imports
Where does the US get tungsten? The U.S. has no commercial tungsten mining since 2015 (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025), making it 100% import-reliant (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025). Import sources 2019–2022: China 27%, Germany 12%, Bolivia 9%, Vietnam 8%, other 44% (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025). Global production 2023: 78,000 metric tons tungsten content, China 63,000 metric tons (83% share) (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025). Reserves: China 2,300,000 metric tons (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025).
This reliance poses risks: China's export curbs in February 2025 (Reuters, January 28, 2026) spiked prices, with tungsten APT up 100% in the past year (Reuters, January 28, 2026). U.S. Defense Logistics Agency stockpiling tungsten (Fastmarkets, October 29, 2025). New U.S. law prohibits Chinese tungsten in military tech from 2027 (Carbon Credits, October 8, 2025).
Can Canada Supply Tungsten? High-Grade Deposits and Strategic Potential
Can Canada supply tungsten? Yes — Canada has significant tungsten resources and projects, positioning it as a secure ally for U.S. needs (NRCan Critical Minerals List, updated 2025). Happy Creek Minerals' Fox Property in British Columbia holds "one of the highest-grade tungsten deposits in the world" with a 12 km by 5 km mineral system (Happy Creek website, accessed February 10, 2026; InvestorNews, October 9, 2025). NI 43-101 resource: 1.2 million tonnes Indicated and Inferred at high grades (Happy Creek fact sheet, 2023).
Other projects: Northcliff Resources' Sisson Tungsten-Molybdenum in New Brunswick received $29 million combined U.S.-Canada funding (The Northern Miner, August 8, 2025). Fireweed Metals' Mactung in Yukon, "the largest high-grade tungsten deposit in the world," received $25 million U.S.-Canada grant (Wilson Center, February 19, 2025; DoD announcement, December 13, 2024). Adelayde Exploration's Sisson North borders Sisson, 9,780 acres (Adelayde website, accessed February 10, 2026). Pure Tungsten's Bodó Mineração in Brazil, but Canadian company (Pure Tungsten website, accessed February 10, 2026). American Tungsten (CSE: TUNG), IMA Mine in Idaho but Canadian-based (American Tungsten press release, February 3, 2025).
Canada's tungsten mining history: Cantung Mine (Northwest Territories) produced until 2015 (Wikipedia, accessed February 10, 2026).
Tungsten mining Canada potential: Fireweed's Mactung has Measured + Indicated Resource 41.5 million tonnes at 0.73% WO3, Inferred 12.2 million tonnes at 0.59% WO3 (Fireweed press release, June 13, 2023). Happy Creek's Fox intercepted 1.18 m of 6.83% WO3 (Happy Creek press release, December 17, 2025).
U.S.-Canada partnerships: DoD invested in six Canadian critical mineral projects in 2025, including tungsten (U.S. Department of Labor announcement, January 12, 2026). Defense Production Act treats Canada as domestic source since 1992 (Wilson Center, February 19, 2025).
Tungsten Supply Chain: From Mine to Application
Tungsten supply chain: U.S. imports ores/concentrates (2,130 metric tons 2022, USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, January 31, 2025) and processes into powders, carbides (USGS January 31, 2025). Domestic recycling: Quantity withheld (USGS January 31, 2025).
US critical minerals policy: Tungsten on USGS 2025 List (November 14, 2025), high-risk due to import reliance (USGS methodology, August 25, 2025). DoD $15.8 million award to Fireweed for Mactung (DoD announcement, December 13, 2024): "A secure North American supply for this commodity will mitigate one of our most critical material risks" (DoD announcement, December 13, 2024).
Critical minerals strategy: U.S. invested $70 million in Canadian projects under Defense Production Act (CSIS, June 12, 2025). Canada supplies 13 of 35 U.S. critical minerals, second-largest for niobium, tungsten, magnesium (Torys LLP, January 2020, updated 2025).
Tungsten Mining Stocks: Opportunities for Canadian Investors
Tungsten mining stocks with Canadian exposure:
Happy Creek Minerals (TSX-V: HPY): Fox Property, high-grade intercepts (Happy Creek press release, December 17, 2025). Market cap CA$15 million (Yahoo Finance February 10, 2026).
Northcliff Resources (TSX: NCF): Sisson, $29 million U.S.-Canada funding (The Northern Miner, August 8, 2025). Market cap CA$100 million (Yahoo Finance February 10, 2026).
Fireweed Metals (TSX-V: FWZ): Mactung, $25 million U.S.-Canada grant (Wilson Center, February 19, 2025). Market cap CA$200 million (Yahoo Finance February 10, 2026).
Adelayde Exploration (private, Canadian focus): Sisson North, 9,780 acres (Adelayde website, accessed February 10, 2026).
Pure Tungsten (private, Canadian company): Bodó Mineração in Brazil, 150 tpd facility (Pure Tungsten website, accessed February 10, 2026).
American Tungsten (CSE: TUNG): IMA Mine Idaho, but Canadian company (American Tungsten press release, February 3, 2025). Market cap CA$50 million (Yahoo Finance February 10, 2026).
These benefit from U.S. policy.
Conclusion: Canada's Tungsten Role in U.S. Security
Canada matters in solving America's tungsten problem through high-grade deposits and partnerships. For investors, tungsten mining stocks offer upside.
Stay informed,
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Author
Ben McGregor authors the Weekly Roundup at CanadianMiningReport.com, providing sharp analysis of the metals and mining sector. With a talent for spotting trends, Ben distills complex market shifts into clear, engaging insights on TSXV junior miners. His weekly updates cover gold, copper, uranium, and more, blending data-driven perspectives with a knack for identifying opportunities. A vital resource for investors, Ben’s work navigates the dynamic junior mining landscape with precision.