Sangdong mine eyes role in securing tungsten for chip industry

The Sangdong mine in Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, is gaining significance as a potential source for tungsten, a crucial material in the semiconductor industry. Operated by Almonty Korea Tungsten Corp. (AKTC), the mine is one of the world's largest tungsten deposits and has transitioned from development to production readiness.

The Sangdong mine is projected to generate tungsten concentrate and aid in the creation of higher-value materials like high-purity tungsten oxide. AKTC claims that the mine could bolster Korea's domestic security for critical minerals while offering an alternative supply for global semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors that remain largely reliant on China.

The mine's development has become even more crucial due to growing concerns over the scarcity of tungsten hexafluoride (WF6), a specialty gas utilized in semiconductor metallization processes, including tungsten deposition, which are essential for 3D NAND, DRAM, and high-bandwidth memory. As demand from AI servers and data centers surges, and alternative materials are being developed, the importance of the Sangdong mine continues to rise.