REG - Tungsten West PLC - Project Update

Tungsten WestAnnouncement

16/08/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 4290J  Tungsten West PLC  16 August 2023

16 August 2023

Tungsten West Plc

("Tungsten West", the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Project Update

 

Tungsten West (LON: TUN), the mining company focused on restarting operations
at the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine ("Hemerdon" or the "Project") in Devon,
UK, is pleased to announce that, following the completion of Low Frequency
Noise ("LFN") Trials, the Company has now made a formal submission to the
Environment Agency to secure the Mineral Processing Facility ("MPF") permit.
The Company has also submitted a section 73 (variation of a condition of
existing permission) application to vary the tonnage cap on truck movements
from site. These recent advances are positive steps towards recommencement of
tungsten and tin production at Hemerdon and further updates will be made as
and when appropriate.

 

Mineral Processing Facility Permit and Low Frequency Noise Trials

Over a period of two months, the Company undertook a series of investigations
into LFN levels at the Project. Several scaled trials (the "LFN Trials") were
completed on noise cancelling technology, screen panel geometry, screen
sizing, throughput rate, and advancements in screen enclosures. Existing
screens were also turned on and rigs were tested. During the LFN Trials,
readings were taken at locations surrounding the site, in the form of
background, unmitigated, and various mitigated responses, with the aim of
identifying solutions to the issues experienced by the previous operator of
the Project.

Upon completion of the LFN Trials, the Company submitted the MPF permit
application to the Environment Agency which, once granted, will allow the
plant to operate, thus facilitating the production of tungsten and tin at
Hemerdon.  The Company has worked closely with the Environment Agency and
Devon County Council (the "Council") throughout the entire permitting and
noise trial process and anticipates the decision regarding the permit approval
to be forthcoming within the coming months.

Section 73 Application

To deliver the Project economically and sustainably, the Company will produce
secondary aggregates, a by-product from mining which, once sold, will provide
an early revenue stream and reduce the storage of barren rock and associated
opex at site.

 

To enable the delivery of the aggregates business, and to optimise the core
tungsten and tin business, the Company has submitted a section 73 application
to vary the tonnage cap associated with the existing permission for 50 truck
movements per day from the site. Traffic and market studies carried out in
conjunction with the application highlight that the Company can plug a gap in
the market for high-quality, secondary aggregates in Devon with a minimal
increase in overall heavy vehicle traffic.

Tungsten West has actively involved the local community, local councils and
regulatory bodies in the process, participating in regular discussions and
offering a direct line to the Company for all stakeholders.

Neil Gawthorpe, CEO of Tungsten West, commented:

"The positive completion of the LFN Trials mark an important and necessary
step for the Company, enabling submission of the MPF permit application, the
final permit required to switch on the plant and begin producing tungsten and
tin. The LFN Trials have been a key focus for Tungsten West in resolving
issues experienced by the previous operator and have been beneficial to
helping improve community confidence in Tungsten West and our long-term plans
for the Project.

"Submission of the MPF permit application and the section 73 application
brings us one step closer as we continue to focus our efforts on bringing
Hemerdon back into production. We are proud of the progress made thus far,
which is a result of community consultation and positive working relationships
with the Environment Agency and Devon County Council."

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
Regulation 596/2014 as amended by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit)
Regulations 2019.

 

Ends

 

For further information, please contact:

Enquiries

 Tungsten West                                                            Strand Hanson

 Neil Gawthorpe                                                           (Nominated Adviser and Financial Adviser)

 Tel: +44 (0) 1752 278500                                                 James Spinney / James Dance / Abigail Wennington

                                                                          Tel: +44 (0) 207 409 3494
 BlytheRay                                                                Hannam & Partners

 (Financial PR)                                                           (Joint Broker)

 Tim Blythe / Megan Ray                                                   Andrew Chubb / Matt Hasson / Jay Ashfield

 Tel: +44(0) 20 7138 3204                                                 +44 (0)20 7907 8500

 Email: tungstenwest@blytheray.com (mailto:tungstenwest@blytheray.com)

                                                                          VSA Capital Group plc

                                                                          (Joint Broker)

                                                                          Andrew Raca / Andrew Monk

                                                                          +44 (0)20 3005 5000

Follow us on twitter @Tungsten

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