W Resources, a UK-listed tungsten, tin and gold mining company, has announced that its La Parilla tungsten mine in Spain has recommenced operations following a maintenance shutdown on 15 February 2022.

The company said the initial maintenance shutdown was scheduled for two weeks and that it made several improvements that delayed the eventual restart. This was in addition to the price increase in liquified natural gas, which pushed it to evaluate its production strategy.

The company noted that during the extended maintenance shutdown, it streamlined the efficiency and operations and overall recovery of the plant.

These included reinforcements to the primary and secondary crushing structures, updates to the safety control elements throughout the plant, the installation of sump pumps across the plant preparation to install a new bench of spirals.

It also included the levelling and compacting of areas for the construction of civil works for the installation of the new intermediate crushed ore stockpile as well as a unique laboratory; and construction of additional infrastructure, building meeting rooms and updated staff changing facilities.  

W Resources chairman Michael Masterman commented: "W realises the importance of recommencing production at the La Parrilla mine and looks forward to resuming shipments of tungsten concentrate, an event welcomed by our customers, staff and stakeholders alike.

"The war in Ukraine is creating unprecedented pressure on energy prices, which the Company has to navigate and is evaluating all alternative options available.

"Notwithstanding this challenge, demand for our tungsten and tin concentrate remains very strong and prices remain robust."

La Parrilla has the capacity to process 330,000 tonnes of tungsten annually.