The lengthy development phase has concluded, marking a pivotal operational shift for Almonty Industries. The company has formally commenced production at its Sangdong tungsten mine in South Korea, transitioning from a pure-play developer to an active producer. This move carries significant strategic weight, given the escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding tungsten, a critical mineral.
With the first ore shipment already slated for December 2025, the company’s immediate focus for this year is squarely on ramping up to full commercial output under Phase 1. In a shareholder letter dated January 20, CEO Lewis Black reaffirmed this ambitious timeline. The overarching objective is for Sangdong to become one of the largest sources of tungsten outside China, thereby reducing Western industrial reliance on Asian supply chains.
Operational Milestones and Leadership
To manage the critical transition from construction to production, Almonty has restructured its senior management team. A notable appointment is that of retired U.S. Brigadier General Steven L. Allen as Chief Operating Officer. Given tungsten’s essential role in defense manufacturing, this move sends a clear signal to Western defense sector stakeholders.
General Allen’s mandate will be to optimize supply from both the new Korean operation and the already-producing Panasqueira mine in Portugal. He is supported by Guillaume Wiesenbach de Lamaziere, who assumed the role of Chief Development Officer in January to drive corporate strategy forward.
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Current operational status highlights include:
* Active Mining: Extraction activities are now underway at the Sangdong site.
* Infrastructure Online: Both underground operations and surface logistics are performing according to plan.
* 2026 Goal: Achieving full commercialization of the mine’s initial production phase.
Geographic Diversification Underway
Almonty’s strategy extends beyond a single asset. In a diversification play aimed at mitigating geopolitical supply chain risks, the company expanded into the United States late in 2025 with the acquisition of the Gentung Browns Lake project in Montana. This step strengthens its position as an integrated producer for both North American and European markets.
The year 2026 now stands as the definitive test for Almonty’s operational execution. A successful, delay-free ramp-up in South Korea would position the company to fill a crucial gap in the global supply chain for the semiconductor and defense industries.
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