In Part 2, fluorite was the villain — the calcium look-alike that makes a tungsten concentrate so hard to clean. But fluorite (fluorspar) is itself a critical mineral. So the question writes itself: if you can separate it, is the troublemaker actually a second product? The literature says yes — with conditions. Here is the evidence, sourced.

Before the challenge of processing, comes the reward. Tungsten stands out in metallurgy due to its exceptional properties: it has the highest melting point of any metal and a density close to that of gold. This makes it a preferred choice for cutting tools, armor, and aerospace applications. Additionally, tungsten is rare, difficult to recycle, hard to replace, and approximately 80% of it is sourced from China. This is why the EU considers it a critical raw material.

Roughly half the world's tungsten lives in skarn: a hard, ugly, calc-silicate rock that forms where a hot granite leans against limestone. Strip away the market noise and this is a story about chemistry at a contact. Here is how it works — in pictures.