Oxford Sigma has published a scientific peer-reviewed research study titled “Supply and Demand of Tungsten in a Fleet of Fusion Power Plants,” focusing on the analysis and assessment of tungsten consumption for future fusion supply chains. The study was conducted in collaboration from Tungsten West Plc and Guardian Metal Resources Plc. The study also involved Oxford Sigma’s 2024 Summer Placement students from the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Fusion Industry Programme (FIP), who were actively mentored and guided throughout the project. This hands-on experience aimed to upskill and inspire the next generation of nuclear engineers. By engaging these students in cutting-edge research, the program significantly contributes to their professional development and prepares them to tackle future challenges in the nuclear engineering field.
Day-San, G.C. Blackett, M. Dornhofer, A.K. Manduku, M.D. Anderton, L. Tanure, T.P. Davis, ‘Supply and demand of tungsten in a fleet of fusion power plants’, Fusion Engineering and Design, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2025.114881
Nuclear fusion has the potential to become a carbon-free, abundant energy source for both electricity and hydrogen markets. Tungsten is a key material for plasma-facing and internal shielding components, protecting the reactor’s structural elements from fusion plasma erosion, high temperatures, and radiation damage.
This study combines the latest insights into tungsten’s behaviour in fusion environments, including neutron-induced material damage estimates, with realistic fusion power plant designs (ARIES-ST and EU-DEMO-2015 models) and neutronic simulations. It also incorporates an analysis of the tungsten supply industry to evaluate the supply and demand for tungsten in a fleet of future fusion power plants. The results emphasise tungsten’s crucial role in ensuring the sustainable operation of fusion power plants, particularly in tokamak reactors. Additionally, the findings highlight the urgent need for increased domestic mining resources to meet the growing demand for tungsten and ensure reliable operations by the 2050s. Three tungsten supply scenarios were explored, demonstrating the necessity for new mining resources by the mid-2040s to maintain a sustainable supply for fusion plants by 2100. Without domestic tungsten sources, the UK or US would likely face significant supply shortages, necessitating substantial investment and expansion.
The collaboration with Tungsten West Plc and Guardian Metal Resources Plc has been instrumental in deepening the understanding of tungsten’s role and the associated future requirements of the fusion energy sector. Tungsten West, a leader in Western tungsten mining and supply, brings valuable industry expertise, and Guardian Metal Resources Plc is a leading U.S.A focussed tungsten exploration and development particularly at their Nevada based projects. Their contributions, alongside with UKAEA FIP, have been crucial in addressing the complex challenges of tungsten supply for fusion power plants.
Oxford Sigma is committed to advancing solutions at the intersection of materials science, fusion energy technologies and pragmatism, with a focus on accelerating sustainable fusion power. This tungsten study is a key part of Oxford Sigma’s mission to make fusion energy a practical, safe, and scalable solution for the global energy transition.
“Being an UKAEA FIP student has been a great opportunity to apply what I’ve learned to real-world challenges. Understanding tungsten’s key role in fusion power has made me even more passionate about sustainable energy, and it’s exciting to contribute to such important research.”
~Elektra Day-San – FIP Summer Placement Student, first year Physics and Philosophy Undergraduate at the University of Bristol
“Tungsten West is thrilled to participate in this important study, which underscores the growing demand for tungsten as the world increasingly embraces sustainable energy solutions. This collaboration emphasises the necessity for the tungsten mining industry to enhance its efforts to address future fusion power needs, and we are dedicated to being at the forefront of this transition.”
~Tungsten West Plc
“As a company dedicated to the important reshoring efforts ongoing worldwide for key critical metals, with a primary focus on mined tungsten supply in the U.S.A., this study highlights the rising importance of tungsten as an essential energy metal. In particular, it underscores the need for domestic mined tungsten sources to meet the growing demands of fusion energy into the future. At Guardian Metal Resources, we aim to be a future supplier of domestically mined tungsten to support this ground breaking technology.”
~Oliver Friesen CEO – Guardian Metal Resources Plc
About Oxford Sigma
Oxford Sigma is a Fusion Technology company with a vision to tackle energy security and climate change by accelerating the commercialisation of fusion energy. Our mission is to deliver materials technology, materials solutions, and fusion design services. Oxford Sigma aims to produce advanced materials technologies, agnostic to fusion approach, for the materials ecosystem. Our fusion core materials are engineered to enable longer term operations for fusion pilot plants, with the aim of roll out to the first-of-a-kind commercial power stations. Oxford Sigma is internationally recognised as a key fusion materials and technological leader.
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About Tungsten West
Tungsten West, headquartered in Plymouth, Devon, is focused on the responsible and sustainable restart of the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon. The Hemerdon mine is one of the world’s largest CRIRSCO compliant tungsten resources, hosting a Mineral Resource Estimate of 351.5 Mt at 0.12% WO3 and 0.03% Sn. The AIM listed company is focused on bringing value to its stakeholders and contributing to the domestic supply of critical metals. Tungsten West is committed to promoting STEM subjects and careers in the mining sector.
About Guardian Metal Resources
Guardian Metal Resources plc is an AIM listed tungsten exploration and development Company that controls two co-flagship tungsten assets in mining friendly Nevada, which includes 100% ownership of Pilot Mountain which is believed to host the largest undeveloped tungsten resource in the United States of America.