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.
