The wolfram is a metal with unique qualities, that make it a necessary component in lots of industrial applications.
More than 80% of the wolfram all over the world comes from China, so the supply of this mineral in Europe is limited. Furthermore, China’s inner demand has increased rapidly in the recent years, making the country change from exporter to importer.
Recently, the concern about the security of the wolfram concentrate supply to companies and final users in the industry in the West. For this reason, the wolfram has been included in the “Basic Raw Material” list by the European Union.
The increase in wolfram’s consumption has to do with the global GDP, with a growth outlook in his use of the 3% yearly for the next years.
Wolfram’s recycling is an important source of this mineral for the industry, with some areas in the world already with the maximum levels of recycling. However, as there are factors that make recycling difficult, it is considered that is difficult that the recycled wolfram can supply more than the 30% of the necessities of the world industry every year.
The Barruecopardo Mine, managed by Saloro, will produce 15% of the wolfram production outside China, so its operation is really important to supply Occident.
Tungsten characteristics
Many of the properties of tungsten are relatively extreme compared to other metals:
Hardness similar to diamond
Thermally and chemically stable
Lowest coefficient of expansion
High thermal and electrical conductivity
Wear-resistant
Similar hardness as a diamond. One of the highest Elastic modulus and tensile strenght of all the metals.
Environmentally friendly
Thermal and quimically stable
Lowest coefficient of expansión of all the metals.
Extremely resistant to corrossion, to rust and fairly resistant to acids.
Wolfram uses
Wolfram’s main use is as tunsgten carbide -also known as Vidia-, which is essential in many industrial procedures, as it allows to drill, cut, press and shape all kind of materials at a high speed and temperatura.
Its hardness, heat resistance and high density makes the wolfram a very versatile material, which has different application areas, specially focused on industrial sector.
Cut and drilling tools
As its wear and heat resistance produced by the friction in this kind of procedures. Its hardness allows to cut metals and rocks easier.
LCD screens or the cathode tube
Tungsten’s high temperature resistance allows to use it in televisions and other devices, such as screens.
Electronic devices
The wolfram is a great conductive material, so it is used for electrical circuits
Wings
Wolfram’s density allows it to be used as weight or counterweight in some machinery applications.
Uses in the industry
Tungsten Carbide
CUTTING AND DRILLING MATERIALS
Special alloys
RESISTANT TO HEAT AND HIGH SPEEDS
Manufactured
RODS, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, ETC,..., ETC,...
Other industries
CHEMICAL, SPECIALISED APPLICATIONS
Barruecopardo concentrate
The Barruecopardo mine produces a high purity scheelite concentrate.
After dedicating time and effort during the metallurgic trials phases, Saloro has achieved a clean and high quality concentrate, with a wolfram trioxide law over 65% and a small content in penalizing elements. This is achieved by an exhaustive extraction, grinding and concentration gravimetric process.