Hazelwood Resources was one step closer to starting ferro-tungsten production at its ATC ferro-tungsten project, in Vietnam, after successfully installing the first fill of ferrot-ungsten metal into the plant’s furnace.
The ferro-tungsten metal would be retained in the furnace during operations to protect the furnace shell from extreme temperatures associated with the production of the alloy.

Hazelwood said this week that hot commissioning and first production was scheduled for the end of this month, and noted that all of the production workforce was currently on site, undergoing training and making preparations for production.

All of the feedstock required for a start-up of production had also been secured, and the final lots were being cleared through customs.

Stage 1 of the ATC plant had a nameplate capacity of 4 000 t/y of ferro-tungsten alloy, equivalent to 3 000 t/y of contained tungsten. A second stage, if completed, would have sufficient capacity to supply around 25% of the world’s ferro-tungsten.

The ATC ferro-tungsten project is the largest-capacity plant outside of China.

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From late March, the tungsten concentrate prices moved up gradually because some companies purchased materials in relatively large quantities, and the tungsten concertrate market showed the uptrend. Many tungsten concentrate suppliers hold offers firm and even increase slightly, but the trading volume does not improve obviously with the soft demand.

 Tungsten concentrate market shows uptrend. The offers are increasing, but the transaction price moves up slowly. He said that the offers for wolframite 60% are at RMB120,000-122,000/t (USD295-300/mtu), and some offers are higher in the spot market.

The source added that the trading volume does not recover obviously, and many downstream customers still purchase from hand to mouth. It is expected that the tungsten prices will be firm and increase further as the suppliers do not eager to sell materials with the firm offers.

An end-user said that they purchased a batch of wolframite 55% at RMB118,000/t(USD290/mtu) late last month. The offers increase to around RMB118,500-119,000/t (USD292-293/mtu) this week, and some offers are higher in the spot market.

The source expressed that under the current tungsten concentrate prices, they have to make offers for APT at RMB181,000-182,000/t (USD327-329/mtu). However, the customers are cautious in making deals, and watch the market for a while. Looking ahead, he said that the tungsten concentrate market will go up slightly in the near future.

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Ferro-tungsten producer Hazelwood has started the hot commissioning of its ATC ferro-tungsten project, in Vietnam.

The company reported on Thursday that following construction of the project in 2011/12, its subsidiary Asia Tungsten Products finalised preparations for production by securing all the necessary raw materials and inventories over the past month, which resulted in the start of the hot commissioning phase.

First production of ferro-tungsten was now expected within the next seven days.

“This is more than conceptual in nature. Today we start as a new supplier of an important strategic metal,” said Hazelwood MD Terry Butler-Blaxell.“We can become the leading player in the speciality metals. I have nothing but praise for those involved in the development of this project, and for the positive environment for doing business in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” he added.

First sales revenue from the ATC plant was expected in April, and all ferro-tungsten produced would be distributed under a sales agency agreement.

Stage 1 of the ATC plant had a nameplate capacity of 4 000 t/y of ferro-tungsten alloy, equivalent to 3 000 t/y of contained tungsten. A second stage, if completed, would have sufficient capacity to supply around 25% of the world’s ferro-tungsten.

Hazelwood noted that the project was constructed under budget and represented a capital-efficient entry into speciality metal production with the opportunity to launch into other downstream processing ventures and potential future vertical integration with Hazelwood’s primary tungsten projects, in Western Australia.

Meanwhile, the company noted that restocking had started for the next phase of the production campaign, which would follow on from the successful completion of the first production trial.

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
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European suppliers handling Central African origin tungsten concentrate explained that a slight drop in buying activity during the second half of last week had been expected due to the Qingming festival in China meaning many tungsten plants temporarily slowed activities.

However, sources stated that on the whole demand from buyers in Asia remains strong, and with domestic China tungsten concentrate figures holding firm in recent weeks, the tungsten concentrate 50%min WO₃ seen last week between USD250-260mtu CIF China are very appealing to buyers. 

You can visit the following links for more information about tungsten concentrate prices. Thank you very much!

Tungsten Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
Tel.: 86 592 5129696; Fax: 86 592 5129797
Email: sales@chinatungsten.com
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