Tungsten

There have been sustained protests in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu ever since the Union government granted tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited.

• Locals and environmental activists fear that mining would destroy its rich flora and fauna in addition to distorting its cultural significance. 

About Tungsten 

• Tungsten is a rare, heavy, and dense metal with the highest melting point (3,422°C) among all metals.
• Key Properties
  • Characteristics: Exceptional hardness, heat resistance, and resistance to corrosion and wear.
  • Appearance: Lustrous, greyish-white in its pure form.
  • Ore Sources: Primarily found in scheelite (calcium tungstate) and wolframite (iron manganese tungstate).
  • Classified as a major mineral under the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

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• Applications
  • Electronics: Used in filaments, X-ray tubes, electrical contacts, and semiconductors.
  • Aerospace & Defense: Alloys for military armor, missile tips, and aerospace components; also used for radiation shielding.
  • Medical: Radiation shielding in cancer treatments and imaging devices.
  • Industrial Tools & High-Tech Applications: Green energy and advanced technological uses.
• Tungsten Deposits in India
  • Karnataka (41%): Concentrated in Chitradurga and Mysuru regions.
  • Rajasthan (27%): Found in Degana mines, Nagaur district.
  • Andhra Pradesh (17%): Scheelite deposits in Srikakulam district.
    India imports a significant portion of its tungsten requirements.
• Global Reserves and Producers
  • China: Dominates with the largest reserves and over 80% of global production.
  • Other Producers: Russia and Canada.
  • Key Exporters: Austria and Bolivia supply to international markets.

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