Drakelands gets green light from Devon County Council
Approval received for planning permission extension and seven-day operations at Drakelands Mine
DEVON County Council has approved a 15-year extension of the planning permission at Wolf Minerals Ltd’s Drakelands open-pit mine, and given the go-ahead for permanent 24h operations, seven days a week, at the mine’s processing plant.
Wolf commenced the mining of tungsten and tin at Drakelands in 2015 under the site’s existing planning permission, which was issued to its previous owners in June 1986, for a period of 35 years, expiring in 2021.
In 2015, Wolf applied to Devon County Council (DCC) for an extension of the 2021 time limit, to allow mining of the entire ore reserve. After extensive consultation with the local community, relevant agencies and the company, DCC has granted the extension of the Drakelands planning permission to 2036.
Moreover, following a long-running trial of extended operating hours, the Council has also approved the continuous operation of the mine’s primary crusher, which will result in increased production levels and a reduction in unit costs.
Commenting on the approvals, Wolf Minerals’ managing director, Russell Clark, said: ‘The Drakelands mine was developed with the understanding that the planning permission, originally granted in 1986, required extension to allow the ore reserve to be fully mined.
‘The Devon Minerals Plan recognizes the importance of this tungsten deposit and its value to the UK and the broader western world as a secure supply of this specialty metal. DCC’s approval of the extension of the planning permission is consistent with this Minerals Plan.
‘The extension of the planning permission will ensure that Wolf’s ore reserve can be mined in full, the 200 jobs we have created will be secure for longer, and Wolf’s significant contribution to the Devon economy will be extended.
‘The additional approval of permanent 24h operations for seven days a week at the Drakelands processing plant will enable the company to produce more tungsten and tin more efficiently, with around 20% more production at reduced unit costs.’
Mr Clarke added: ‘The extension of the planning permission has also enacted the debt restructure recently agreed with our lenders. We now have an extended tenor on our senior debt, through to June 2023.
‘These approvals provide our investors, lenders, suppliers, customers and employees with the confidence to continue the ramp-up of this very important project.’
