"텅스텐 다시 캔다" 영월 상동광산 32년 만에 '부활' / YTN

[Anchor] There is a mineral known as the "blue gem" whose value is skyrocketing internationally. It is "tungsten," one of the 38 key national minerals. Korea's only tungsten mine, which had been closed for over 30 years, has resumed operations. Reporter Hong Seong-wook reports. [Reporter] Mining operations are in full swing at the mine. When ultraviolet light is shone on it, a brightly shining mineral catches the eye. It is tungsten, known as the blue gem. The Sangdong Mine once spearheaded Korea's exports, but it closed in 1994 after being pushed out by the onslaught of low-priced Chinese tungsten. However, as the value of tungsten has surged as a core resource for high-tech industries such as semiconductors, its status has changed. The global mining company Almonty Industries acquired the abandoned mine and has resumed development. With an investment of 100 billion won, a main tunnel spanning 4 kilometers was dug, and a factory was built in the mine area. [Lewis Black / CEO of Almonty Heavy Industries: Through the reactivation of the Sangdong Mine, South Korea will move beyond simply being a manufacturing powerhouse to strengthening its role as a stable supplier of core materials that support high-tech industries.] The reserves amount to 58 million tons, accounting for 10% of the world's total reserves, and the quality is also world-class. Annual production reaches 2,300 tons, most of which is exported to the United States. Production is planned to double starting next year; with plans to use the increased volume domestically, it appears that tungsten self-sufficiency will be achievable. Local governments also plan to establish a tungsten processing industrial complex by 2028 to foster it as a new engine for regional growth. [Choi Myeong-seo / Mayor of Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province: We will do our utmost to fulfill our administrative role to ensure that industries linked to the foundational industries currently being pursued by Yeongwol County proceed stably.] As the upward trend in mineral prices is expected to continue, there are plans to expand the scope of the industry beyond simple mining into the processing sector. The Sangdong Mine, which has been revived after more than 30 years. Expectations are high regarding whether it can breathe vitality into the abandoned mine site and establish itself as a major hub for the core mineral industry. This is Hong Seong-wook from YTN. Video Reporter: Hong Do-young YTN Hong Seong-wook ([email protected]) ※ 'Your Tip Becomes News' [KakaoTalk] Search for YTN and add the channel [Phone] 02-398-8585 [Email] [email protected] ▶ Original Article: https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0115_202603... ▶ Send a Tip: https://mj.ytn.co.kr/mj/mj_write.php ▣ Subscribe to YTN YouTube Channel: http://goo.gl/Ytb5SZ ⓒ YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI data are prohibited.