Wolf starts tungsten production

Perth-based Wolf Minerals has passed another milestone at its Hemerdon tungsten and tin project in Devon, in southern England, with the plant producing its first tungsten concentrate.

Managing director Russell Clark said he was pleased the commissioning process had produced tungsten concentrates to the required specification.

The company expects commissioning to be completed this month, paving the way for Wolf to take over the plant from engineering and construction contractor GR Engineering Services.

Commissioning of the crushing and scrubbing section of the plant, plus the fines section, has been completed, and design tonnage throughput is being met in both sections.

The refinery section of the plant is now in the final stages of commissioning.

“Overall, commissioning activities are going well and the operating teams have learned how to manage the plant in different conditions,” Mr Clark said.

“Commissioning is a time when all processes and equipment are fully tested and performance established.

“By its very nature it is not unusual to encounter a number of challenges along the way and our teams are working successfully together to address these.

“It is particularly pleasing that the plant is operating as expected and we are successfully upgrading the ore to produce product that meets our customer’s specifications.”

Mr Clark said the company was looking forward to shipping its first tungsten concentrates to offtake partners Global Tungsten and Powders in the USA and Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten in Austria.

Wolf shares were unchanged today at 37 cents.