News: Wolf Minerals MD very confident on time lines for Hemerdon mine

Wolf Minerals (ASX:WLF, LON:WLFE) new plant at the tungsten mine in Devon, UK, is around 60% built, managing director Russell Clark told a conference call.

The Western Australian based firm contracted to do the work must deliver the plant by August 8 next year, and they are on track to do this this, he said.

The mine plays host to the world’s fourth largest resource and when it comes online in the second half next year it will be the UK’s first new mine opening for 45 years.

Clark said he expects dry commissioning of the plant in March or April next year, with wet commissioning, when the first ore will pass through, in May and June.

The firm is contracted to deliver its first offtake in September.

"We are very confident at the moment that we will meet those various timelines," he told the call.

Wolf has planning permission for a ten year life of mine. The existing proved reserves are 27mt of wolframite at a decent grade of 0.19%.

The total measured and indicated resource is significantly larger at 117.1 million tonnes.

An area to the south of the planned pit could add 2-3 years to the life of the mine, while Wolf eventually may go underground.

Wolf shares are unchanged at 15.125p.