A significant discovery of tungsten, a metal vital for the defense industry and in short supply, has been made in the US by 3 Proton Lithium (3PL) at its Railroad Valley Minerals Project in Nevada. The deposit is estimated at 1.78 million tonnes, potentially making it America's largest, valued at approximately $152 billion. However, Nasa is blocking development on a third of 3PL's claims, as the area is crucial for tracking satellite signals.

This discovery is particularly relevant given the US's reliance on imports, with China controlling 80% of the global tungsten market. Tungsten prices have surged nearly 600% since February 2025 due to high demand and Chinese export controls. 3PL is lobbying the US government to overturn a 2023 federal prohibition on mining this section, imposed at Nasa's request for satellite calibration.

While the discovery has generated interest, analysts caution that development, even if land rights are resolved, is likely several years away. The Trump administration has prioritized critical minerals, and the US is also investing in tungsten projects abroad, highlighting the global race for these resources.