MINEX Forum

Tag: Tungsten West

  • Tungsten West Produces First Tungsten Concentrate in Hemerdon Restart Trial

    Tungsten West Produces First Tungsten Concentrate in Hemerdon Restart Trial

    Tungsten West (LON: TUN) has achieved a major milestone in its plans to restart production at the Hemerdon mine in Devon, England, after successfully producing its first tungsten concentrate during an ongoing mineral processing trial.

    The trial is part of a broader plant optimization and technical validation program, designed to test and enhance the performance of key sections of the mine’s processing facility. The company said the data collected will support the planned restart of full-scale operations, expected by late 2026.

    “This progress marks an important milestone in restarting operations at Hemerdon,” said CEO Jeff Court. “It provides confidence to our neighbours, the environment agency, investors and off-takers that we are moving towards production.”

    Court added that the company is maintaining high environmental and operational standards throughout the trial, noting Hemerdon’s growing importance as demand for diversified tungsten supply intensifies globally.

    Strategic Importance

    Hemerdon — historically known as Drakelands mine — is one of the largest tungsten deposits in the world. Located about 7 miles northeast of Plymouth, the site has a long mining history, with operations dating back to 1918 and production during both World Wars.

    After feasibility work in the 1980s, the mine was redeveloped into a modern tungsten and tin operation that ran from 2015 to 2018 under previous ownership. The project’s restart is considered strategically significant for both the UK and Europe, offering a potential secure tungsten supply outside China, which dominates global production.

    Tungsten is a relatively small market — valued at around $5 billion in 2023 — but it plays a critical role in defense and high-tech industries. Its density and hardness make it the material of choice for armour-piercing ammunition, aerospace components, and heavy-duty tools.

    Market Reaction

    Shares in Tungsten West rose 12% following the announcement, closing with a market capitalization of £21.28 million ($28 million).

    The company’s management emphasized that the successful trial demonstrates technical readiness and operational credibility, key steps toward securing financing and offtake agreements for the mine’s full-scale restart.

  • Tungsten West’s Hemerdon Mine Gains EU Strategic Status, Eyes 2026 Restart

    Tungsten West’s Hemerdon Mine Gains EU Strategic Status, Eyes 2026 Restart

    Tungsten West has confirmed that its Hemerdon mine near Plymouth, Devon, has been officially designated a strategic project under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials strategy. The recognition is a significant milestone for the site, which hosts the world’s second-largest tungsten deposit and has the potential to meet up to 20% of global demand for the critical mineral.

    CEO Jeff Court stated that the mine is “fully permitted and shovel ready,” with production potentially restarting by the end of 2026. However, to move forward, the company still needs to raise £69 million ($93 million) in private investment.

    Originally operated by Australia’s Wolf Minerals Ltd., the mine fell into administration in 2018. Tungsten West acquired the site in 2019 and began interim operations in 2023.

    Tungsten is highly valued for its extreme heat resistance and strength, making it indispensable in the production of ammunition, aerospace components, electronics, and cutting tools. Despite its importance, the Hemerdon project has so far received no UK government support—unlike lithium and tin initiatives in Cornwall that have benefited from significant funding.

    Court highlighted the mine’s potential benefits for the UK economy, calling for more equitable government backing: “It’s great we have interest from the US and EU, but this is a UK project. Jobs, money into the economy, regional development—it’s all here.”

    A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade noted that the UK’s upcoming Critical Minerals Strategy will address production improvements and financial support for domestic projects. “We welcomed the EU’s announcement of Tungsten West as a strategic project,” they added, indicating a broader intent to strengthen global supply chains in coordination with international partners.

  • Tungsten West’s Hemerdon Mine Named Strategic Project Under EU Critical Minerals Strategy

    Tungsten West’s Hemerdon Mine Named Strategic Project Under EU Critical Minerals Strategy

    Tungsten West, the company behind the revival of the Hemerdon tungsten mine near Plymouth, Devon, has announced a key milestone in its path to resuming operations. The project has been officially designated a strategic initiative under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, giving it a crucial boost in recognition and visibility within the global supply chain of vital minerals.

    The Hemerdon site, which contains the world’s second-largest known tungsten deposit, could supply up to 20% of global tungsten demand, according to company CEO Jeff Court. “We’re fully permitted and shovel ready,” Court confirmed, adding that production could resume as early as the end of 2026—provided the company secures £69 million ($93 million) in private funding.

    Tungsten West took over the site in 2019 after former operator Wolf Minerals Ltd entered administration. Interim operations began in 2023, but full-scale mining remains contingent on new investment.

    While UK government support has flowed toward lithium and tin projects in Cornwall, Tungsten West has yet to receive any public funding. Court emphasized the need for more domestic backing: “It’s a UK project. The benefits—jobs, tax revenue, and regional growth—will be felt here.”

    Court called on Westminster to offer “an equal share of support” to tungsten and other strategic metals vital for defense and electronics. A spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade noted that the UK’s forthcoming Critical Minerals Strategy will outline measures to support domestic projects and strengthen international partnerships.

    Tungsten’s strategic importance stems from its use in high-performance electronics, tools, and military applications, including missiles and bullets due to its extreme heat resistance.

  • Tungsten West Unveils Restart Plan for UK’s Hemerdon Mine, Targeting 20% of Global Non-China Tungsten Supply

    Tungsten West Unveils Restart Plan for UK’s Hemerdon Mine, Targeting 20% of Global Non-China Tungsten Supply

    Tungsten West, a UK-based mining company, has released a detailed development and economic plan for restarting operations at the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon. The company projects that, once operational, the mine could supply over 20% of the global primary tungsten output from outside China—a major boost for Western critical mineral supply chains.

    Fully permitted and construction-ready, the Hemerdon project is expected to produce approximately 332,000 metric tonne units (mtu) of tungsten trioxide and 462 tonnes per year of tin concentrate during steady-state operations. Production could begin within 12 months of securing funding.

    Tungsten West is currently in discussions with multiple potential investors and aims to close a $93-million funding round by the end of 2025. The project benefits from around $300 million in historical investment and promises robust returns, with a projected post-tax life-of-mine cash flow of $456 million, a net present value of $190 million, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 29.3%—based on a conservative tungsten price of $400/mtu.

    CEO Jeff Court highlighted the project’s strategic importance: “At full capacity, Hemerdon is expected to produce over 20% of the global non-China supply of tungsten and will significantly strengthen the developed world’s supply chain for this critical metal.”

    The plan outlines an initial 11-year mining phase, followed by four years of stockpile processing and 12 additional years of aggregate sales. A long-term expansion program—dubbed “Hemerdon Futures”—could extend mine life beyond 40 years.

    Key investments include a new front-end processing system, upgrades to existing processing facilities, and stringent environmental noise mitigation measures. The mine will process 3.5 million tonnes of ore annually and is forecasted to sit within the lowest quartile of global tungsten producers with an all-in sustaining cost of $144/mtu.

    In response to China’s recent export restrictions on tungsten, which have driven market prices above $400/mtu, Tungsten West emphasized the growing importance of secure, domestic supply chains for dual-use critical metals.

    The company has also received regulatory approval for limited trial processing of 2,500 tonnes of on-site material and plans to issue additional convertible loan notes to bridge funding through financial close. Hannam & Partners is acting as the financial adviser and broker for the restart funding.