Public meeting over mining plans

AN AUSTRALIAN mining firm will take part in a public meeting about the revival of a Sparkwell tungsten mine.

Wolf Minerals, who own the mining rights to Hemerdon Tungsten mine, will attend the meeting at 7pm on Thursday at Sparkwell village hall.

They will be joined by representatives from Devon County Council and the Environment Agency to answer the public's questions.

It is understood the company wish to propose changes of planning conditions.

Permission to mine in the area was granted in 1986 and Devon County Council would now like to modify some of the conditions of this permission and to improve the final restoration of the site to increase the amount of heathland to promote wildlife.

Councillor Roger Croad, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services will chair the meeting. He said: "This is the ideal opportunity for local residents who are concerned about the proposed changes to the mine's planning permission to come along and ask questions of the experts."

Council leader and local county councillor John Hart added: "The planning permission is current and Wolf Minerals could go ahead with the mine. The county council wish to take this opportunity to improve the planning conditions and the final restoration of the site."

A spokesman for Wolf Minerals said the works proposed related "mainly to the management of the land and its restoration for the benefit of ecology."

Depending on the outcome of detailed feasibility assessments, which include a drilling programme, archaeological and environmental surveys and metallurgical test work, further development work is scheduled to commence later in 2010.

However, the firm says it is "keen to stress" that "development work will continue to be part of an ongoing feasibility and development programme, with mining not anticipated to commence before 2012."

In 2007 The Herald reported that Hemerdon mine was due to be reopened within two years, bringing with it a boost to the local economy of up to £20million per annum over 10 to 15 years.

The mine could potentially employ up to 200 people and create a further 300 jobs indirectly in the Plymouth area.