UK Tungsten Mine to re-open

Posted in Industry News on 23rd May 2011

William Rowland are a leading supplier of Ferro Tungsten and Tungsten.

ASX-listed Australian metals and exploration company Wolf Minerals are exploring the possibility of re-opening the Hemerdon mine in South Devon, near Dartmoor in the United Kingdom.

With the price of ferro tungsten having doubled in the last twelve months from around US$25.75 per Kg W contained to currently about US$55.00 per Kg W, due mainly to demand from the booming Indian and Chinese markets.

Little wonder then that ASX-listed Australian metals and exploration company Wolf Minerals are exploring the possibility of re-opening the Hemerdon mine. The mine has been closed for well over sixty years, but after a feasibility report commissioned by Wolf, it seems that they ‘are a step closer' after the results proved positive. This particular mine is an obvious choice as it is believed to be the largest resource of tungsten in the world today outside of China. Tungsten was first discovered at Hemerdon in 1867, but it closed its doors some time in 1944.

Ferro Tungsten supplied by William Rowlad Limited

Image of Ferro Tungsten courtesy of William Rowland Ltd

Wolf, who are already deep into a tungsten and tin exploration project in New South Wales, Australia are aiming to produce at least 3,000 tonnes of tungsten per year once a £100M investment to develop the mine and a processing plant has been secured. The interim work in improving access to the site will begin in late 2011, with the first tungsten leaving the mine in late 2013.

Wolf Mining's Managing Director believes that the re-opening will bring at least 500 jobs to the region and give ‘a real boost to the local economy'. Despite this, local residents seem opposed to having a working Tungsten mine is such close proximity to their homes.

Tungsten, meaning "heavy stone", is used mainly used in metalworking, metals for construction, electrical equipment and light bulbs.

William Rowland Ltd are tungsten suppliers, and if you would like to find out how we can meet your requirements, please contact us using the Quick Enquiry Form on the right-hand side of this website.

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