Tungsten West has reached a significant milestone in its plans to restart production at the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon, reporting positive progress from an ongoing processing trial.
The company said the trial represents an important step forward in testing and optimising the performance of key components within the mineral processing facility, a critical part of the Hemerdon project’s redevelopment.
The work forms part of Tungsten West’s broader programme to de-risk operations and collect technical data required for the planned restart of full-scale production. As part of the current phase, the company has successfully produced its first trial tungsten concentrate.
Jeff Court, CEO of Tungsten West, described the progress as a major achievement in the company’s long-term strategy to bring the mine back into production.
“The progress we are making in this processing trial is an important milestone in restarting operations at Hemerdon and provides confidence to our neighbours, the Environment Agency, our investors and off-takers that we are moving towards production. We have ensured that all activities throughout this trial have been conducted to high environmental and operational standards.
“As the need for a diversified source of tungsten intensifies, Hemerdon becomes an even more important strategic asset.”
The Hemerdon mine, located near Plymouth, is one of the few sources of tungsten and tin in Europe. The site was previously in operation before being placed on care and maintenance, with Tungsten West undertaking a comprehensive review and redevelopment of the project to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Tungsten, a key material used in advanced manufacturing, electronics, and defence applications, is considered a critical mineral due to its global supply constraints and strategic importance. The company’s renewed focus on sustainable production and responsible resource development at Hemerdon aligns with wider efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains for essential industrial materials.
The ongoing processing trials are expected to continue as Tungsten West moves towards full operational readiness, with further updates anticipated as the project advances through the final stages of testing and commissioning.
