Supplying European tungsten responsibly and reliably

The Mittersill mine, operated by Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG – a Sandvik company – is not only one of the largest scheelite (tungsten) mines in Europe, but also a blueprint for how critical raw materials can be produced responsibly, efficiently and close to home.

As Europe intensifies efforts to secure its supply chains for critical metals, Mittersill stands out as a rare example of a fully integrated, low-carbon source of virgin tungsten – a metal that underpins modern industry. The mine exemplifies how modern technology, circular thinking and close collaboration can reshape mining for a more resilient future.

A critical metal for a changing world

Tungsten’s unique properties, including extreme hardness, high density and exceptional heat resistance, make it indispensable across many industries. From cutting tools and mining equipment to aerospace, defense and renewable energy systems, demand is rising as manufacturing becomes more advanced and electrification accelerates.

At the same time, global supply chains remain fragile. With primary tungsten production heavily concentrated outside of Europe, the EU has classified tungsten as a critical raw material, underscoring the need for secure, ethical and traceable supplies.

“Operating a tungsten mine in central Europe comes with high expectations,” said Stefan Eggenreich, Mine Manager at Mittersill. “But it also gives us a clear responsibility to combine productivity with sustainability and to deliver material that Europe can rely on.”

Mittersill is one of the largest tungsten mines in Europe, making it a cornerstone of regional supply security.

Mining shaped by its environment

Located close to the Hohe Tauern National Park, Mittersill operates under stringent environmental conditions. From the outset, the mine was designed with a minimal surface footprint and to protect its alpine surroundings.

Almost all infrastructure is underground. Anything built on surface must be removable within two months – a requirement that has driven Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG to seek innovative underground solutions for crushing, maintenance and processing.

“This location forces us to think differently,” Eggenreich explained. “You can’t rely on conventional layouts or shortcuts. Every design decision must respect the environment and stand up to regulatory scrutiny.”

The orebody itself presents additional challenges. Dipping steeply beneath the mountain, the mineralization is hosted in highly variable geology, with rock strengths ranging from soft talc zones with around 50MPa to extremely hard, 350MPa, quartz-rich formations. These conditions place high demands on drilling accuracy, equipment durability and ground support.

Productivity driven by technology

Despite these constraints, Mittersill is a highly productive operation. Using open stoping methods across multiple levels, the mine extracts more than 500,000 metric tons of ore each year. The deposit typically contains an average grade of 0.25% WO₃.

A major milestone was reached in 2025 with the full commissioning of a new Sandvik CJ815 underground jaw crusher, located some 580 meters below surface. Ore is gravity-fed to the crusher and then transported 3.2 kilometers by conveyor to the concentrator on the opposite side of the valley.

“The underground crusher was a game changer,” said Eggenreich. “It reduced haulage distances, cut diesel consumption and gave us a significant boost in efficiency.”

Ore sorting technology enables a low cut-off grade, improving resource utilization while reducing waste. Around 100,000t of material is also backfilled into the mine each year, supporting ground stability while keeping waste material underground rather than on surface.

Sandvik equipment underground

Mittersill’s demanding geology and steep underground layout place high expectations on its equipment fleet. Development headings are long, haulage routes include sustained gradients of up to 15% and rock hardness varies widely. To meet these challenges, the mine relies on a compact but capable fleet of Sandvik drill rigs, loaders and trucks, selected for reliability, precision and future readiness.

Development drilling is carried out using Sandvik DD422i twin-boom jumbos. These rigs combine high drilling power with intelligent control systems, enabling consistent face drilling across variable ground conditions. Detailed drilling data supports predictable blast results and helps control dilution and overbreak.

For production drilling, Mittersill uses the Sandvik DL432 longhole drill rig, which is well suited to the mine’s stoping methodology and steeply dipping orebody. Accuracy and robustness are essential, particularly in the hardest quartz-rich zones, where reliable fragmentation directly impacts downstream efficiency.

Exploration drilling is another critical pillar of the operation. Using a Sandvik DE120 diamond core drill rig, the mine completes around 5,000m of underground drilling each year to replenish reserves and maintain a high level of geological confidence.

Load and haul operations are built around eight Sandvik Toro® LH517 loaders, selected for their durable design, high breakout force and maneuverability in narrow underground drifts. These loaders operate across multiple levels, feeding ore passes that supply material to the underground crusher.

“All our equipment has to work hard here,” Eggenreich said. “We have long ramps, steep gradients and very variable rock types. That’s why robust design and reliable performance matter so much.”

Sandvik underground trucks have also been tested extensively at Mittersill, providing valuable insights into haulage performance under sustained high-load, uphill conditions.

From machines to strategy

Sandvik’s relationship with Mittersill spans decades, but since Sandvik acquired Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG in 2009, it has enabled deeper strategic collaboration with multiple businesses within Sandvik.

“Sandvik Mining is not just our supplier, it’s part of how we operate,” Eggenreich explained. “We work together on equipment selection, automation, digitalization and long-term planning.”

Around 90% of the mine’s fleet, where Sandvik offers solutions, is Sandvik equipment. While some classic machines remain in service thanks to a strong in-house maintenance team, all new additions are intelligent Sandvik i-Series models, providing data connectivity and automation compatibility.

“These machines are future-ready,” Eggenreich noted. “Even if we’re not using every digital feature today, the capability is already there, giving us a strong, scalable foundation as we continue to digitalize and automate our operations.”

Prototype equipment is tested directly in production headings, ensuring realistic feedback that benefits Sandvik customers worldwide.

Sustainability beyond the mine gate

Sustainability at Mittersill extends far beyond emissions underground. Through Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, Sandvik controls the entire tungsten value chain, from mining and concentration to powder production and recycling.

Globally, around 30-35% of tungsten is recycled, and Sandvik has set itself a target of 90% waste circularity by 2030. Mittersill supports this ambition by supplying low-CO₂ virgin tungsten, while feeding consumables back into Sandvik’s recycling loop.

“We see circularity as a strength, not a limitation,” Eggenreich said. “Recycling is essential, but the world still needs high-quality primary material. Our job is to deliver that as sustainably as possible.”

Energy efficiency is another focus area. Ventilation currently accounts for around 37% of Mittersill’s electricity use, and a new ventilation shaft is under construction to improve airflow and reduce energy demand. Planned upgrades to power distribution and underground connectivity will support higher levels of automation and potentially, in the future, battery-electric equipment.

A reference mine for Europe’s future

With plans to increase production volumes further over the next five years and a mine plan extending deeper underground, Mittersill is set to remain a cornerstone of Europe’s tungsten supply. But its broader value lies in what it represents.

“Mittersill shows that mining in Europe can be competitive, responsible and reliable,” Eggenreich concluded. “With the right technology and the right mindset, we can meet a large part of Europe’s need for critical materials and do it the right way.”

For Sandvik, Mittersill is more than a mine. It’s a working example of how innovation, sustainability and collaboration can come together to secure the materials that modern society depends upon.