CSM on hand to mark opening of Britain’s first new metal mine in 40 years

Professor Frances Wall and Dr Robin Shail, from CSM were amongst the key dignitaries and stakeholders who attended the official opening of the Hemerdon tungsten mine.

The mine, situated on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, cost around £130million and will exploit what is believed to be the world’s fourth largest deposit of tungsten - which has diverse uses, from industrial cutting and drilling tools, specialist steels and electronics to the vibrating mechanism in mobile phones and the balls in ball-point pens.

The owners of the mine, Australian based firm Wolf Minerals, have indicated that they hope to produce about 3,000 tonnes of tungsten and tin per year.

About 200 people are employed at the mine, with many of the senior team from the Camborne School of Mines, based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall,

Speaking after the launch Dr Robin Shail, from CSM said: “It's important regionally and nationally. We have a world-class resource based here in the south west. This mine site is going to be responsible for between 3-4% of tungsten production worldwide.”

Further reports on the opening of the Hemerdon tungsten mine can be found here