Tungsten west Regulatory News (TUN)

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

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