Tungsten West, Elmet ink $1.8 billion offtake deal for Hemerdon mine
The mine supplied crucial tungsten for military and defense efforts during both World War I and World War II.
Tungsten West, a Devon-based owner and operator of the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine, has signed an eight-year supply and offtake agreement with Elmet Technologies, a US-based vertically integrated producer of tungsten products and advanced materials. The agreement, worth over £1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) at current market prices, provides for a minimum of 1,000 tonnes per annum of contained WO₃ from the Hemerdon mine.
This significant long-term contract establishes a crucial route for Hemerdon tungsten into US and UK processing and manufacturing supply chains, aligning with the UK government's strategic interest in the mine, following the National Wealth Fund's investment in Tungsten West. The mine, which supplied vital tungsten during both World Wars I and II, saw intermittent mining efforts in the mid-20th century before ceasing operations in 1944.
Tungsten West CEO Jeffery Court emphasized the mine's unique position to deliver substantial, long-term tungsten production within the UK. He noted that with production underway and support from the UK government, Tungsten West is developing a mine-to-market supply chain capable of meeting critical mineral requirements for the UK, US, and their allies.
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