One of the world’s largest tungsten resources. On our doorstep.
The Hemerdon Mine at Drakelands, South Devon, is Tungsten West's wholly-owned asset. It is one of the world's largest tungsten resources, fully permitted, and ready to re-start production.
1867: The discovery
The ore body at Hemerdon was discovered in 1867, in the landscape between Plymouth and Dartmoor that had long been associated with mining. From the beginning, the geology made a clear case for itself.
A site with a track record
Hemerdon has seen periods of production since the First World War, called upon at the moments Britain needed it most. The question was never whether the resource was good enough — it was whether the operation was designed well enough to do it justice.
2019: A new chapter
Tungsten West acquired the mine in December 2019 with one intention: to do it successfully. A redesigned process plant, a revised feasibility study, a fully funded restoration bond, and a team with the technical depth to deliver. The permits are in place. Construction is underway. We're finishing what the geology always promised.
The Hemerdon Mine
A world-class deposit
The Hemerdon ore body holds 39.7 million metric tonne units of contained tungsten across 327 million tonnes of JORC-compliant ore. By any global measure, this is a tier-one resource, and it's in Devon.
A long-term asset
The primary tungsten processing life is around 17 years of primary ore feed and subsequent stockpile re-processing, with total life extending to 40 years or more under the Hemerdon Futures programme. This is not a short-term extraction play. It is a multi-generational industrial asset with decades of production ahead of it.
More than tungsten
Alongside tungsten, the operation also produces tin and premium aggregates. A diversified output that adds commercial resilience and keeps more value in the local economy.
The right location
Hemerdon sits between Plymouth and Dartmoor, within one of the UK's most connected regional economies. Road infrastructure, a skilled regional workforce, and proximity to Plymouth's port and logistics network make this not just a great deposit, but a practical one to operate.
A head start no new mine can buy
Over US$300m has already been previously invested in the site by the former operator, including crushing circuits, site offices, power supply, and access roads. For a project of this scale, that is an extraordinary starting position. The capital has been spent. The groundwork is laid. We're here to make it work.
Where we are now
Refinery trial production successfully completed
Equity raise of £44.3 million
$25m short term bridge loan facility to fund us through to initial production
Capital improvement works underway; fine gravity circuit targeted Q3, coarse circuit Q4
Full commissioning of nameplate capacity commences
Steady State production achieved
Full steady-state production ramp-up completed
Want to know more?
Whether you're looking to invest in a world-class mineral asset or build a career in the heart of Devon, there's a place for you in the Hemerdon story.
