Geology and exploration

Tungsten

A fragment of tungsten. It is black in colour.

Minor amounts of tungsten have been recorded at 23 localities in Victoria. The tungsten is in wolframite [(Fe,Mn)WO4] and scheelite (CaWO4).

Wolframite is the most common tungsten ore in Victoria. Most tungsten deposits are in quartz veins near the edges of felsic granitoid intrusions and were produced by late magmatic hydrothermal activity.

Tungsten deposits commonly contain accessory molybdenum, tin, bismuth and gold.

Most of Victoria’s recorded production of tungsten concentrate (around 140 tonnes) was from the Mount Murphy mine near Benambra and from the Womobi (also known as Lukins) mine near Thologolong in northeastern Victoria. Scheelite, in association with cassiterite, has been worked near Koetong.

There have been only minor amounts (less than 10 tonnes) or no recorded production from other tungsten deposits in Victoria.

View the full list of metals.

Further information

Minerals of Victoria – Geological Survey of Victoria Report 92

Geological history of Victoria

Victoria's Minerals, Petroleum and Extractives Industries – Annual Statistical Reports

Maps

To create your own maps online and in real time, plan exploration activities by viewing land status, or download GIS data to add to your own maps, visit GeoVic.

Map of Victoria showing primary tungsten occurrences. They are sporadically located mainly in the north west, north and north east areas of the state.

Page last updated: 12 Jan 2023