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Tungsten: The obscure metal testing the West's critical minerals strategy
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 22, 2026
· 8 min read
Pressure on Western defense stockpiles is drawing attention to a critical mineral most people rarely encounter by name: tungsten. With a melting point of approximately 6,177 F, tungsten withstands more heat than any other metal . It is exceptionally dense, hard and resistant to wear, making it va...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway With a melting point of approximately 6,177 F, tungsten withstands more heat than any other metal .
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso's strategic location near the US-Mexico border and its role in international trade make the tungsten supply chain a concern for local industries. The city's manufacturing sector, which includes companies involved in aerospace and defense production, may feel the impact of China's export controls and the resulting price escalation. As the US seeks to reduce its dependence on Chinese tungsten, El Paso's proximity to potential mining sites in Mexico and the southwestern US could make it a key player in the development of alternative supply chains. The significant price increase of Ammonium Paratungstate, a key tungsten product, may also affect local businesses that rely on this material for their operations, such as those involved in drilling and mining. As the US government explores ways to diversify its critical minerals supply, El Paso's unique position could make it an important hub for the development of a more resilient tungsten supply chain.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 8 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Pressure on Western defense stockpiles is drawing attention to a critical mineral most people rarely encounter by name: tungsten. With a melting point of approximately 6,177 F, tungsten withstands more heat than any other metal . It is exceptionally dense, hard and resistant to wear, making it va...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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