Tungsten soars after China curbs supply; West steels itself

London

THE price of one of the most critical materials for the Western world's economy and defences is spiking faster than any major commodity.

Tungsten, used to harden steel in ballistic missiles and in drill bits, has surged more than 50 per cent in the last two months amid growing concern about supply cutbacks in China, where about 80 per cent of the metal comes from. The country is clamping down on polluting mines and enforcing production quotas.

"The Chinese have been trying to impose control over the production in tungsten," said Mark Seddon, senior manager at Argus Consulting (Metals). "They've used environmenta…