Oxford Sigma presents tungsten supply findings at ITER Fusion Neutronics Meeting 2025
April 30, 2025
At the ITER Fusion Neutronics Meeting 2025, held in Madrid, Spain, from April 7-10, Oxford Sigma, based in Oxford, UK, presented the results of its latest analysis of the tungsten supply chain as it relates to the fusion industry.
Originally published in Fusion Engineering and Design, ‘Supply and demand of tungsten in a fleet of fusion power plants’ combines neutronic modelling with realistic supply chain analysis to highlight the urgent need for increased domestic mining resources to meet the growing demand for tungsten and ensure reliable operations by the 2050s.
“Presenting at the Fusion Neutronics Meeting was a great opportunity to showcase the valuable insights enabled by neutronics, combined with our investigation into the factors affecting the tungsten industry,” stated Gabriel Blackett, Graduate Engineer at Oxford Sigma. “Establishing a robust and well-developed tungsten supply chain will be critical to supporting the successful expansion of a future fleet of fusion power plants.”
Oxford Sigma’s 2024 placement students from the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Fusion Industry Programme (FIP) were also involved in the study, which provided hands-on experience to future nuclear engineers.
The ITER Fusion Neutronics Meeting 2025 brought experts from the global neutronics community to Madrid to share insights on advancements in fusion, raise awareness of tungsten supply issues, and explore how neutronics can support the sustainable scaling of fusion power.
Some key topics of discussion were plasma-facing materials, shielding technologies, and the pivotal role of neutronics simulations in optimising fusion reactor design.
Oxford Sigma’s attendance at the event was supported by Guardian Metal Resources, a tungsten and critical mineral development company headquartered in London, UK. Focused primarily on the US market, the company controls two co-flagship tungsten assets in Nevada, including Pilot Mountain.
“Their expertise and support were invaluable in our analysis of the tungsten market,” Oxford Sigma stated in a press release. “This collaboration underscores the importance of building strong partnerships between the fusion industry and critical supply chain sectors, which are essential for advancing sustainable fusion power.”
The full paper is available here.
