Tungsten News Flash

Oct 8 (SMM) — A Chongyi-based tungsten producer released its latest ex-works long-term contract prices: 55% wolframite concentrate at RMB 365,000 per standard tonne and 55% scheelite at RMB 364,000 per standard tonne, both down RMB 35,000 / s.t. from the second half of September; APT at RMB 550,000 per tonne, down RMB 30,000 / t over the same period. All figures are inclusive of 13% VAT.

Two unions at Antofagasta’s Centinela mine began a legal strike at 8:00 a.m. local time on Oct. 7 after mandatory mediation ended without an agreement. The company said the action covers 709 workers, or 22% of its direct workforce, and could create operational difficulties, although its production outlook remains unchanged. Centinela’s 2026 molybdenum guidance is 3,000–3,500 tonnes, with about 1,400 tonnes produced in H1. No concentrator shutdown or molybdenum-output loss has been confirmed. The impact will depend on strike duration and disruption to critical mining and maintenance roles.

SMM Oct 8: Domestic tungsten traded thinly over the National Day holiday on bearish sentiment, with holders cutting offers. On the first post-holiday trading day, tungsten concentrate quotes were mixed. Sellers aimed to offload material, but downstream smelters ran low operating rates and stayed cautious with limited buying. Some trades closed at depressed levels. SMM black & white tungsten concentrate dropped RMB 10,000/tonne. 55% black tungsten concentrate: RMB 362,000–366,000 per metric tonne unit. APT weakened, traders’ offers below smelters. SMM APT range: RMB 520,000–560,000/tonne; floor down RMB 20,000 day-on-day. Tungsten powder and WC powder fell ~RMB 20/kg. Market awaits new long-contract price guidance.