Tungsten West plc has started small scale production of legacy tin and tungsten from its partially recommissioned mineral processing facility (MPF) at Hemerdon in Devon.
LEGACY ASSETS REVENUE
The material and a limited amount of residual material remaining in circuit, totalling just over 50 tonnes, was processed in the recommissioned dry section of the MPF’s refinery.
Combined with other legacy material not requiring re-processing, Tungsten West generated two lots of tungsten concentrate and two of tin concentrate which it shipped to an off-taker on 31 May 2023.
Sales of processed legacy tin-tungsten are part of plans to utilise past material left by the previous operator, forecast to generate more than £400,000 revenue.
The operations also “provide insight into future operating parameters for the ore dressing stage of the beneficiation process”.
Preparations continue for full-scale project development and the company is working with the Environment Agency and Devon County Council to secure the final permit for operating the MPF.
INDICATION
“We are excited to announce the interim recommencement of operations at the Hemerdon mine,” said chief executive Neil Hawthorpe.
“This small-scale production of tungsten and tin is a mere indication of what can be achieved once the mine is fully re-opened.”