Page 1239

  1239Tungsten 
By Richard F. Stevens, Jr.1 
The domestic tungsten industry recovered significantly in 1972 as production
of tungsten concentrate increased 18% to 8.2 million pounds, and concentrate
consumption rose 21% to 14.1 million pounds. Imports for consumption of tungsten
concentrate rose to a 14 year high and totaled 5.7 million pounds. Concentrate
exports in 
1972 decreased sharply and totaled slightly less than 0.1 million pounds.
During 1972, the reported price of shipped tungsten concentrate, f.o.b. domestic
mines, averaged almost $41 per short ton unit; the quoted European price
averaged almost $36 per short ton unit (about $40 per short ton unit with
U.S. duty added). 
The Government's two-phase tungsten disposal program was continued unchanged
during the year at $55 per short ton unit, but only one minor sale was made.
Releases which, in previous years, balanced U.S. 
supply and demand were replaced by less expensive imports. 
The low level of European prices reflected the continued decline in foreign
industrial activity. Primarily as a result of low tungsten prices, one major
European metal trader was forced to declare bankruptcy. 
A detailed statistical record of tungsten production, consumption, and trade,
by country, was reported quarterly by the United Nations.2 
Legislation and Government Programs.— Although the General Services
Administration (GSA) continued its stockpile disposal programs during the
year, only 3,457 pounds of tungsten, in subspecification material, was sold.
Under PMDS-ORES-124, excess tungsten concentrate was offered for 
1 Physical scientist, Division of Ferrous Metals. 
2 UNCTAD Committee on Tungsten (Geneva, 
Switzerland). Tungsten Statistics. V. 6, Nos. 1—4, 
january, April, july and October 1972; V. 7. 
Nos. 1—2, January and April 1973. 
Table 1.—Salient tungsten statistics 
(Thousand pounds of contained tungsten and thousand dollars) 
1968 
1969 
1970 
1971 
1972 
United States: 
Concentrate: 
Production                     
Shipments                    Value                           
Consumption                      
Releases from Government stocks       
Exports'                         
Imports, general                      
Imports for consumption             
Stocks, Dec. 31: 
Producers                   
8,663 
9,042 
$20,293 
11,038 
3,225 
623 
1,824 
1,743 
626 
7,805 
7,910 
$18,770 
13,053 
38,314 
7,151 
1,534 
1,503 
519 
'  9,625 9,312 
$23,790 
16,700 
15,066 
19,470 
1,299 
1,284 
787 
6.900 
6,827 
$20,184 
11.622 
1,381 
2,006 
577 
418 
863 
8,150 
7,045 
$18,104 
14,107 
3 
95 
5,898 
5,739 
1,966 
Consumers                    
Primary products: 
Production                       
Consumption                        
Stocks, Dec. 31: 
Producers                     
Consumers                  
World: Ore and concentrate: 
574 
10,538 
13,108 
4,747 
2,364 
1,066 
13,334 
16,056 
3,392 
1,778 
1,467 
17,605 
15,352 
4,569 
2,698 
2,657 
11,730 
11,159 
3,722 
2,541 
2,229 
14,090 
13,296 
4,680 
2,121 
Production                          
Consumption                         
68,380 
64,410 
71,754 
76,650 
71,360 
85,638 
80,744 
68,382 
84,793 
76,197 
' Estimated tungsten content.