Name of the Project
Hemerdon tungsten/tin mine.

Location
Devon, UK.

Project Owner/s
Mining company Tungsten West.

Project Description
Hemerdon is a construction-ready, fully permitted, world-class tungsten resource, with significant tin and premium aggregate co-products. The project has the potential to generate more than 20% of tungsten supply outside of China.

The project has a base case 11-year life-of-mine (LoM), four years of subsequent stockpile reclaim and an additional 12 years of ongoing premium aggregate sales.

Total proven and probable reserves are estimated at 70.7-million tonnes grading 0.15% tungsten and 0.03% tin, for a total of 10.3-million metric tonne units of contained tungsten. 

Total LoM production is estimated at 4.6-million metric tonne units of tungsten and 6 442 t of tin. Steady-state production is estimated at 332 000 metric tonne units of tungsten and 462 t of tin.

There is further scope for the extension of the current openpit towards the north and south through the Hemerdon Futures project, whereby the company plans to extend the current operations along the already defined Joint Ore Reserves Committee-complaint resource, which remains open at depth and along strike in a southern direction. The project is expected to extend the total operational life, including stockpile reclaim and premium aggregate sales, to more than 40 years. 

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Applying a 7.5% discount rate, the project has a net present value of $190-million and an internal rate of return of 29.3%.

Capital Expenditure
The total financing requirement for restarting mining operations is estimated at $93-million, benefiting from an estimated $300-million of previously invested capital, including significant openpit prestripping.

Planned Start/End Date
Tungsten West is targeting the first-phase restart of fines gravity processing in the third quarter of 2026, with full plant commissioning targeted from the first quarter of 2027.

Latest Developments
Tungsten West has reported in its first quarter 2026 project update that market conditions have strengthened project economics further and that cross-site works are continuing towards restart. 

Preparatory earthworks have started for the mineral processing facility and the mine waste facility, and that the remaining major subcontractors have been appointed. 

The company has concluded a £22.3-million mining equipment finance package with description McHale Komatsu and is in the final stage of due diligence on the remaining debt package of up to $85-million, including a first tranche of up to $25-million aligned with the project schedule. 

Tungsten West has also reached an understanding regarding the termination of the Hargreaves Services agreement. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
McHale Komatsu (mining equipment finance package and equipment supply).

Contact Details for Project Information
Tungsten West, email tungstenwest@blytheray.com.