In the first public talk since the reopening of the Drakelands Mine, a major global tungsten mine in Plymouth, speakers from Wolf Minerals discussed how and why tungsten is extracted, the world’s tungsten supply and mining in the South West.
Tungsten is critical to a range of industrial, mining and agricultural applications and key uses are in cemented carbides, steel alloys, metal products, lighting, drill bits and jewellery.
With an estimated production of 5,000 tonnes per annum of tungsten concentrate and 1,000 tonnes of tin concentrate, Drakelands will be one of the world’s most important tungsten mines, producing about 3.5 per cent of forecast global demand, providing a secure supply of tungsten – which is regarded as a critical mineral by the UK, US and EU – and pumping hundreds of millions of pounds into the South West and UK economies over the next decade.
To find out more, watch the video.
Students from the University are using a recently opened tungsten mine to develop a greater understanding of the South West’s rich and fascinating geology.
Wolf Minerals is a specialty metals producer, with operations at the Drakelands Mine at the Hemerdon Tungsten and Tin Project. The mine has one of the Western world's largest tungsten and tin resources and provides a secure supply of tungsten for a global customer base.
The £140 million Drakelands Mine was officially opened on 17 September 2015, creating about 220 direct jobs and becoming the first new British metal mine in 45 years.
