CommoditiesAfter 32-year halt, production resumes for export to US, possibly JapanThis tungsten mine in South Korea's Yeongwol County has been reopened by U.S.-based Almonty Industries. (Photo by Nami Matsuura)NAMI MATSUURAJuly 4, 2026 01:42 JSTYEONGWOL COUNTY, South Korea -- Tungsten is being mined in South Korea for the first time in three decades, and it could help the country and Japan reduce their reliance on China for the industrial metal.