BGS Risk List (2)

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! The penultimate week of the countdown is here! Last time we had a look at the not-overly-thrilling antimony, but this week we’re onto the more exciting tungsten.

RANKING:

2

ELEMENT NAME AND SYMBOL:

Tungsten (W)

RELATIVE SUPPLY RISK INDEX:

9.5

WHY?:

It occurs only in chemical compounds and so has to be isolated from these during the production process

LEADING PRODUCER:

China

TOP RESERVE HOLDER:

China

WHY THE DEMAND?:

Tungsten may ring a bell to many of you, probably due to it’s use in light bulb filaments and x-ray machines. As it is an extremely hard and heavy element it is often used in heavy-duty drills and saws such as used in the oil and construction industries.