Tungsten West reports trial output in UK  

Tungsten West (LSE:TUN) has generated its first tungsten concentrate as it works to restart one of the world’s largest resources of the defence metal, the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon, England. 

It’s a strategically important project for the UK and Europe with the restart anticipated by late 2026 to provide a secure supply of tungsten outside of China. The hard metal is key component in armour-piercing ammunition and its $5-billion market in 2023 is forecast to expand as the West rearms. 

“As the need for a diversified source of tungsten intensifies, Hemerdon becomes an even more important strategic asset,” Tungsten West CEO Jeff Court said in a release on Friday. The trial “provides confidence to our neighbours, the Environment Agency, our investors and offtakers that we are moving towards production,” he said. 

Shares in Tungsten West have gained 22% since Thursday’s close to 11.9 pence apiece on Monday afternoon in London for a market capitalization of £22.1 million (C$40.8 million).

War history

The Hemerdon deposit hosts 218 million measured, indicated and inferred tonnes grading 0.15% tungsten trioxide and 0.02% tin for an estimated 326,000 tonnes of contained tungsten trioxide and 43,000 tonnes of tin, according to a JORC-compliant (Australian rules) resource in 2021. 

The company’s program is focused on testing and optimizing the performance of key sections of the mineral processing facility. It wants to de-risk operations and gather technical data essential for the planned restart of full-scale production.

The mine, formerly known as Drakelands, or the Hemerdon Ball or Hemerdon Bal Mine, has a history of activity dating to 1918, with production during both World Wars, according to the company. 

Further exploration and feasibility work was carried out in the 1980s. The site was later developed into a modern operation and produced tungsten and tin between August 2015 and October 2018 under Wolf Minerals. The mine is located 11 km northeast of Plymouth, near the village of Plympton.

“The progress we are making in this processing trial is an important milestone in restarting operations at Hemerdon,” CEO Court said. “We have ensured that all activities throughout this trial have been conducted to high environmental and operational standards.”