As of April 13, 2026, the tungsten market has continued its trajectory of rational correction and consolidation. While recent market indicators suggest a slight downward adjustment in spot prices, a macro perspective reveals a striking reality: major tungsten derivatives have still surged by over 100% since the beginning of the year. From wolframite concentrates to Ammonium Paratungstate (APT), the cost base for industrial manufacturing has fundamentally shifted to a new, higher plateau.
For procurement professionals in the geological exploration sector, this "new normal" presents significant challenges. With 65% wolframite concentrate stabilizing at approximately $127,000 per standard ton (a 100% increase year-to-date) and APT prices maintaining a 111.9% gain compared to January levels, supply chain pressures are immense. When raw material costs double within a span of just a few months, the industry often succumbs to a dangerous trend: sacrificing material purity in an effort to preserve profit margins.[1]
In the realm of diamond drilling tools, the matrix is everything. Tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powder—currently trading at approximately $316/kg and $308/kg, respectively—are not merely commodities; they are the pillars of a drill bit's durability. When raw material prices surge to this extent, the implications go far beyond procurement—they directly influence performance, wear resistance, and overall drilling efficiency.
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Source
1.https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/aiBWwkFOXBf4ENwtx9g8wA?from=industrynews&color_scheme=light
