Tungsten West plc has been granted a permit to operate its mineral processing facility at the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine near Plympton in south Devon.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
The grant from the Environment Agency is the final the key permit required to progress the project.
The company said it would focus on maximising tungsten and tin recovery through the MPF, targeting 3.5 million tonnes per annum throughput, following a ramp-up period.
Mining operations will be fully outsourced to Hargreaves (UK) Services under the terms of the existing mining services contract.
Tungsten West is also working on the feasibility study which, together with the permit, is expected to secure further financing and begin mining and processing targeted for 2026.
The company has appointed Mining Plus UK Ltd to complete the revised FS, expected during H2 2024, with “substantial” progress made to date.
The FS builds on work from two previous studies and will concentrate on optimising the capital expenditure required to restart operations and operating costs.
Chief financial officer and interim chief executive Alistair Stobie added that the MPF permit also further derisked the restart of production at Hemerdon.
“The awarding of this permit reflects Tungsten West’s commitment to ensuring that Hemerdon can operate in line with global best practices and without harm to our local communities or the environment.”