EU recognition of mine prompts call for support

The mine near Plymouth is designated as a strategic project under the EU's critical mineral strategy

A mining company looking to extract one of the world's largest deposits of the critical mineral tungsten has said it has taken another step to getting back into production.

Tungsten West said its operation at Hemerdon, near Plymouth, Devon, had been designated a strategic project under the EU's critical mineral strategy and could be up and running by the end of 2026.

"We're fully permitted and shovel ready," said Jeff Court, Tungsten West chief executive.

Bosses said Hemerdon contained the second-largest tungsten deposit in the world and could meet 20% of global demand.

Tungsten West chief executive Jeff Court said EU recognition was a major step forward

The disused Hemerdon Mine was taken over by Tungsten West in 2019 after it was previously run by Australian mining company Wolf Minerals Ltd, which filed for administration in 2018.

Tungsten West commenced interim operations in 2023.

The EU recognition of the project is a major step forward, but the company said it would still need to raise £69m ($93m) of private investment to reach production stage.

Tungsten is considered the perfect metal for bullets and missiles for its high melting point and is also used in electronics and tools.

While lithium and tin projects in Cornwall have attracted tens of millions of pounds of UK government support, Tungsten West had received none, said bosses.

Mr Court said: "I think it's great that we have interest from the US and the EU, but it's a UK project.

"Jobs, money going into the economy, taxes, revenue, regional development is all going to see the benefit here."

Call for 'equal share'

Mr Court said "we would like to see the UK leading" in terms of public funding.

"It's good in a sense that resource development in the South West is gaining support from the government and funds are flowing into the UK, especially for the metal resource sector," he said.

"That's a positive for everyone. We'd just like to see equal share of support."

A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: "Our upcoming Critical Minerals Strategy will set out how we plan to improve production and help projects in the UK access financial support.

"We welcomed the EU's announcement of Tungsten West as a strategic project, and our strategy will set out our approach to working with international partners and developing global supply chains."