Matthew BoyleThe Hemerdon mine at Tungsten West has probable that extends much beyond its moorland region, to the entire UK, and above.
Due to its proximity to a wide range of contemporary industries, Tungsten is frequently referred to as” the metal of the future.” Its unmatched strength, durability, and heat resistance are important technical characteristics that make it very sought after.
In the aerospace industry, tungsten is used in jet engines, turbine blades, radiation shielding, satellite propulsion, and nozzles. Wind turbine bearings, gear, counterweight, and blades are made of tungsten carbide and large alloys. In order to increase energy production, tungsten sulphide compounds can be used in the renewable cell industry.
As more people start using electric vehicles ( EVs ), tungsten once more demonstrates its vitality. Its high melting point and high density make it perfect for use in EV batteries because it can withstand the high pressure and temperatures generated by the charging and discharging processes.
Use of tungsten in fusion energy gadgets
Due to the rapid pace of international development, new applications for tungsten are continually being developed. The most intriguing of these centers on a reaction called fusion, which has the ability to produce an almost limitless supply of clean and sustainable energy.
tungsten will be needed for radiation shielding and plasma-facing components in fusion energy devices. Because of its outstanding thermal conductivity, tungsten aids in heat dissipation and shields the reactor in the fusion unit from harm.
Also, tungsten has a small sputtering yield, which means that when exposed to high-energy particles, it resists erosion and keeps its structure. This is crucial in fusion reactors because, if not properly contained, plasma particles can harm the reactor walls. Additionally, it has a great neutron irradiation resistance, which is important for the production of high-energy neutronics during fusion reactions.
Fusion energy is a reliable source for the future because it generates little waste and no greenhouse gases. It can lessen reliance on fixed fossil fuel resources and strengthen nations ‘ energy independence and security, which may have previously been constrained by the energy access gap.
The significance of metal mining in the UK
Light relies totally cyclically on the outside world. They are mutually dependent, tungsten’s potential cannot be realized if national governments do n’t provide the means to do so, and the success of future global industries cannot come to fruition in the absence of its use.
Since 2017, China has been the primary importer of tungsten into the US, accounting for about 29 % of the country’s entire imports from 2018 to 2021.
Relying on imported tungsten puts the UK in a precarious position, susceptible to the whims of global markets and political unrest. Federal security would be strengthened and a steady supply of this essential material would solidify, allowing for the protection of national industries and the preservation of autonomy, by developing local tungsten mining capabilities in the UK.
The UK must contend with yet another motivating factor. The ongoing sourcing of the materials required to carry out this drive has some bearing on its position as a global leader in alternative energy and decarbonization technology.
A goal has been set by the UK government to decarbonize the nation and achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.
The UK Government has put several strategies and initiatives into place to accomplish this. These consist of:
- switching to solar energy sources
- increasing energy effectiveness,
- Promoting the use of energy vehicles: By 2035, the government wants to outlaw the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles and encourage their adoption. This entails expanding charging infrastructure and offering grants for the purchase of electric vehicles.
- Investing in R&D: The UK Government has vowed to do so in order to create new technologies and innovations, like fusion energy, that can aid in the decarbonization of different industries.
- establishing carbon budgets
- International cooperation: The UK government earnestly participates in global initiatives to combat climate change, such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The goal of the UK government’s decarbonization initiative is to lower greenhouse gas emissions and move toward a low-carbon economy. The industries that are essential to advancing this transition are reliant on tungsten sources.
Despite this, the UK government is already doing very little to make tungsten mining easier there. While there seems to be support for new companies creating battery technology, there is n’t much appetite for the companies that will supply them with crucial minerals.
Businesses providing the materials essential to achieving net zero should qualify for government support so that they can support UK industries. Planning and permitting requirements must be accelerated to adapt to the sector’s fast-moving nature.
It is crucial to remember that cutting red tape does not always entail cutting corners. The government has a fantastic opportunity to create vibrant critical minerals sector, secure supply chains, and draw in large amounts of investment by paying attention to business leaders.
The UK has a lot of international potential with the Hemerdon mine.
In July 2022, the UK Government released its Essential Minerals Strategy for the first time. The plan aims to quicken the development of the nation’s local resources mining capabilities. According to it, “four times as some essential minerals for clean energy technologies are expected to be needed as they are today in 2040.”
In terms of their international supply risk and the UK’s susceptibility to disruption, 26 materials were evaluated for their prospective criticality to the economy. Tin and tungsten are both examples of these materials, both of which can be found at the Hemerdon mine, a 100%-owned project run by metal West in Devon, United Kingdom.
Since Tungsten West bought Hemerdon in 2019, the business has concentrated its efforts on resuming operations there. Hemerdon is in a position to become the largest producer in the Western world because it is home to the fourth-largest tungsten-tin deposit in history. The Tungsten West team is aware of the seriousness of this possibility.
But, the community’s contribution to the success of this project must not be overshadowed by the scope of the potential of Hemerdon on a global scale. Generations of native workers and residents have contributed to the mine’s development.Tungsten and tin were initially discovered at the site in 1867, and its resources helped the war effort during the Second World War. Simply put, Tungsten West is the custodian who can be relied upon to realize this untapped potential.
Working closely with the Environment Agency, Devon County Council, and the neighborhood, the company has then submitted all four of the necessary permits for resuming operations at Hemerdon. Tungsten West will have the go-ahead to turn on the plant and start producing tungsten and tin thanks to the Mining Processing Facility’s approval.
A microcosm of the UK’s vital mineral potential is Hemerdon. Mining has always played a significant role in the American economy, just as it has for the region of Devon. For both, the new frontier of green transition minerals opens up fresh chapters in history.
