Tungsten West's Tungsten Business Moves Forward

Tungsten West is currently raising cash to re-operate the Plymouth Tungsten Mine with plans to increase production at the site, which has the second-largest tungsten reserves in the Western Hemisphere. The company is moving forward with developing its aggregates business, an operation that is currently challenged by the need to increase the number of trucks traveling to and from the site.

The company bought the mine in 2019 for £2.8 million and is moving forward with plans to develop what it understands will be the world's first integrated metals and aggregates operation.

Tungsten is vital to the manufacture of new technologies, including environmentally sustainable products such as electric cars and solar panels, as it is used to make the cutting tools needed for progressive technologies. Tungsten is also on the list of critical raw materials for countries around the world, including the United States and the European Union, which means it is a resource in high demand.

Aggregates West Ltd (AWL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tungsten West, began selling secondary aggregates in January 2021, from existing stockpiles left by the mine's previous owners. While aggregate operations are permitted under the mine's existing agreement with Devon County Council, a week-long public consultation is also currently underway, including two in-person events for residents near the mine to inform the community of the proposed increase in vehicle traffic to and from the mine.

This will require adjustments to the existing plan, which currently allows 50 heavy trucks per day to depart from the site. The company is requesting that this number be increased to a maximum of 150 vehicles per day in the first two years, with a gradual increase to 300 vehicles by 2026.

The company stressed that the movement of vehicles will be restricted and has agreed with the Mineral Planning Authority that vehicles will operate between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. No measurements will be assigned on Sundays.

Online consultation on the proposal will close on Thursday, March 17, and the company said it would welcome any ideas from the local community.

Max Denning, CEO of Tungsten West, said, "Our goal is to be successful, trusted local business and employer that is as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. This means making the most of the resources produced by maximizing the use of by-products. We want to take what was previously considered waste and waste used by the local construction industry."

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