The UK’s efforts to restore domestic critical minerals production are progressing through two major redevelopment projects: Cornish Metals’ South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall and Tungsten West’s Hemerdon tungsten-tin project in Devon. Both projects continue to move toward production, with recent advances in engineering, mine development, financing and processing infrastructure.
Rising prices for strategic metals and increasing government and international interest in secure mineral supply chains have strengthened the investment case for both operations, although each project remains at a different stage of redevelopment.
South Crofty advances mine rehabilitation and engineering
Cornish Metals reported substantial progress during June at the South Crofty tin project, where surface civil works at the Roskear shaft have been completed. Construction of the winder house is continuing, while a new workshop and stores facility is approaching completion.
The company also confirmed that Ausenco has completed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) for the process plant. Underground work continues with mine dewatering through the commissioned 195-level pump station, while development at the 25 level is also advancing. According to the company, the current tin price of approximately US$53,000 per tonne significantly strengthens project economics. At prevailing spot prices, South Crofty’s estimated net present value (NPV) at a 6% discount rate is approximately £500 million.
Further development milestones are scheduled over the next two years. Mechanical installation of the mine winder is planned during the second half of 2026, dewatering is expected to reach the 400 level in the first half of 2027, and pre-production mine development at the 290 level is now targeted to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Strategic importance of domestic tin supply
Beyond project economics, South Crofty has attracted attention because of tin’s importance in electronics manufacturing, particularly for solder applications. Earlier this year, The Guardian reported that the U.S. Export-Import Bank had indicated potential financing support of up to US$225 million, subject to production from the mine contributing to U.S. supply requirements. The project has also received backing from the UK government, which previously invested £28.6 million in South Crofty, reflecting growing recognition of tin as a strategically important industrial mineral.
Hemerdon secures financing for phased restart
At the Hemerdon tungsten-tin project, Tungsten West continues preparations for restarting operations under a phased development strategy. In April, the company announced plans to begin the first-phase restart of fines gravity processing in the third quarter of 2026, with full processing plant commissioning scheduled from the first quarter of 2027. To support redevelopment, Tungsten West secured a £22.3 million mining equipment finance package while progressing advanced due diligence on a debt financing package valued at up to US$85 million.
The financing programme expanded further in May when the company entered into a binding US$25 million short-term bridging loan facility with an entity controlled by major shareholder Gregory Coffey. According to the company, the bridging facility is intended to finance Hemerdon through the initial restart of fines gravity processing in Q3 2026. At the same time, final-stage due diligence on the larger US$85 million debt package has been completed and financing documentation has been finalized.
Distinct redevelopment paths toward production
Although both projects support the UK’s objective of rebuilding domestic critical minerals production, they are progressing through different redevelopment stages. At South Crofty, the immediate priorities remain continued mine dewatering, engineering works, financing activities and completion of mine reconstruction.
At Hemerdon, redevelopment is focused on successfully restarting a previously suspended operation under a revised operating plan while benefiting from improved conditions in the tungsten market. Future progress at both projects will depend on achieving planned financing milestones, successful commissioning, targeted processing performance, operating cost management and securing offtake arrangements as redevelopment advances toward commercial production.
