Pure Tungsten's Plans for Its Tajik Mine
Why It Matters
A confirmed >1% tungsten resource at Tajik could make Pure Tungsten a leading low‑cost supplier, reshaping global tungsten markets and attracting significant investment.
Key Takeaways
- •Tailings phase processes 1,000 tons annually for 3‑4 years
- •Tailings development requires roughly $10 million initial capital expenditure
- •Full mine construction estimated at $60‑80 million overall CapEx
- •Planned output exceeds 3,000 tonnes annually, surpassing Sangdong
- •Resource conversion targets NI 43‑101 with >1% tungsten grade
Summary
Pure Tungsten outlined its two‑stage development strategy for the Tajikistan tungsten project, beginning with a modest tailings operation before moving to a full‑scale mine. The initial phase will treat roughly 1,000 tonnes of tailings each year for three to four years, demanding about $10 million in capital outlay. This low‑cost start‑up is intended to generate cash flow while the company prepares for the larger investment required to open the underground mine.
The full‑scale mine is projected to cost between $60 million and $80 million in CapEx and to produce more than 3,000 tonnes of tungsten concentrate annually. That output would dwarf the 2,000‑tonne‑per‑year capacity at Almonty’s Sangdong mine in South Korea, positioning Pure Tungsten as a potentially dominant player in the global market. The company emphasizes the economic upside of scaling from a modest tailings operation to a high‑volume, high‑margin mine.
Pure Tungsten highlighted the historic Mika Harja deposit, which ceased production in the early 1970s and was subsequently drilled by Russian teams for four years. The firm is now converting that extensive drilling data into a NI 43‑101 compliant resource and reserve, reporting grades above 1 % tungsten—far higher than the typical 0.2 % found in Portuguese deposits. This high‑grade nature underpins the project's attractiveness and justifies the larger capital commitment.
If the resource estimate is confirmed, the Tajik mine could reshape tungsten supply dynamics, offering a low‑cost, high‑grade source that appeals to manufacturers and investors alike. The project’s success would also diversify Pure Tungsten’s asset base, reduce reliance on legacy operations, and potentially set a new benchmark for mining economics in the sector.
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