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Highlights
- The first ore delivery to the ROM pad signals the start of active mining operations at the Sangdong Mine.
- Ore processing will progress through crushing, grinding, flotation, and packaging prior to customer delivery.
- The project supports diversification of global tungsten supply beyond China-dominated sources.
Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM) (TSX:AII) (ASX:AII) announced that the first truckload of ore has been successfully delivered to the Run-of-Mine (ROM) pad at its Sangdong Mine in South Korea. The milestone marks the transition from mine development activities to active mining operations and represents the final operational step ahead of commercial production.
From Development to Mining Operations
The delivery of ore to the ROM pad represents a key operational shift for the Sangdong Mine. Until now, activities at the site were focused on construction and early-stage development. With ore now being extracted and transported from underground workings, the project has entered the mining phase that precedes commercial output.
The ROM pad serves as a staging area for newly mined material. Ore is produced within the underground mine through controlled blasting, gathered, and moved through the internal haulage system. From there, trucks transport the material to the surface, where it is stockpiled on the ROM pad according to grade in preparation for processing.
Processing and Production Readiness
Ore placed on the ROM pad will advance through a defined processing sequence. The material will first undergo primary and secondary crushing before being ground to the particle size required for downstream processing. Following size reduction, the ore will enter the flotation circuit, where tungsten-bearing minerals are selectively separated from waste material.
The concentrated tungsten material will then be dried and packaged for delivery to customers. During the initial stages, processing performance and system stability will be closely monitored. Once these stages are verified, the operation is expected to move into a production stabilization phase as the mine progresses toward full-scale commercial production.
Role in the Global Tungsten Supply Chain
The Sangdong Mine is positioned as a contributor to efforts by the United States, the European Union, and South Korea to diversify tungsten supply sources. China currently accounts for more than 80% of global tungsten production, creating supply concentration risks for industries reliant on the metal.
Tungsten is a critical input for sectors such as defense, semiconductors, artificial intelligence hardware, aerospace, and other advanced manufacturing applications. The resumption of production at Sangdong is intended to support the availability of non-China tungsten supply for these markets.
Foundation for an Integrated Minerals Platform
Beyond the initial restart of mining operations, Sangdong is expected to serve as the base for a broader strategic-minerals platform in South Korea. Future plans include the addition of a tungsten oxide processing facility and the development of a nearby molybdenum deposit. Together, these assets are intended to form an integrated value chain covering mining, refining, and upgrading of tungsten products.
This integrated approach is aligned with future procurement requirements in the United States that mandate non-China tungsten sourcing after 2027. It is also expected to reduce South Korea’s reliance on imported tungsten oxide, enhancing resource security for Korea and allied economies.
