Published: April 3, 2026 |

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Almonty Industries has successfully delivered the first truckload of ore to the ROM (run-of-mine) pad at the Sangdong Mine, a pivotal transition from early-stage mine development to active mining operations and the final step before commencement of commercial production.

“This first ore placement represents a strategic inflection point in advancing Almonty’s mission to strengthen the global tungsten supply chain. Sangdong plays a critical role in efforts by the United States, the European Union, and Korea to diversify away from the China-dominated market, which currently supplies more than 80 percent of the world’s tungsten,” said Lewis Black, president and chief executive officer.

“The resumption of production at the Sangdong Mine forms the foundation for securing reliable, non-China tungsten supply to key sectors such as defense, semiconductors, AI hardware, aerospace, and other high-technology industries,” added Black.

The ROM pad functions as a staging area for ore that has just been brought out of the ground. Ore is first obtained inside the mine gallery through controlled blasting, then collected and transported through the haulage system. From there, a truck delivers it to the ROM pad, where it is stockpiled by grade before processing begins.

The ore placed on the ROM pad will now proceed to primary and secondary crushing, followed by grinding to achieve the particle size required for processing. The material will then advance to the flotation circuit, where tungsten-bearing minerals are selectively separated, concentrated, dried and packaged before being supplied to downstream customers. After stability and performance verification of the processing stages, the project will then move to the production stabilization phase as the mine advances toward full-scale commercial operation.

“Our team has completed all key preparatory work including geological assessment, ground stabilization, load testing, and equipment installation to advance the project to this milestone,” said Arif Priyambodo, general manager of Processing Operations.

“The first truckload of ore provides direct confirmation that the ROM pad is ready for operation and that the haulage routes, equipment coordination, and operator workflows are performing safely and effectively under production-level conditions. This successful verification demonstrates that the technical foundation of the Sangdong Mine is now firmly established, enabling the commissioning of the crushing, milling, and flotation circuits to proceed as planned and supporting a smooth ramp-up toward full production,” added Priyambodo.

CEO Black emphasized that the Sangdong Mine is the foundation of a new tungsten supply chain for the U.S. and its allies beyond Chinese control, as well as returning Korea to its historic role as a key supplier of tungsten,

“In the longer term, the Sangdong Mine’s production, combined with our upcoming tungsten oxide plant and the planned development of the molybdenum deposit, will form the basis of a fully integrated strategic-mineral value chain referred to as the ‘Korean Trinity’. This system will position Korea as a global hub for the production, refining, and upgrading of tungsten. It will also support U.S. defense procurement requirements mandating non-China tungsten sourcing after 2027 and reduce Korea’s heavy dependence on Chinese tungsten oxide imports, significantly enhancing national resource security for the United States and its allies,” said Black.

Almonty Industries is a leading supplier of conflict free tungsten — a strategic metal critical to the defense and advanced technology sectors. As geopolitical tensions heighten, tungsten has become essential for armor, munitions, and electronics manufacturing. Almonty’s flagship Sangdong Mine in South Korea, historically one of the world’s largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits, is expected to supply more than 80 percent of global non-China tungsten production upon reaching full capacity, directly addressing critical supply vulnerabilities highlighted by recent U.S. defense procurement bans and export restrictions by China. With established operations in Portugal and additional projects in the United States and Spain, Almonty is strategically aligned to meet rapidly rising demand from Western allies committed to supply-chain security and defense readiness.

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