We are allowing Hemerdon to increase their operating hours

In July 2026 we issued a Local Enforcement Position to Drakelands Restoration Limited (DRL), a subsidiary of Tungsten West plc, in respect of its mobile crushing and screening operations at Hemerdon Mine.

Their commissioning activity took place over 8 weeks under the LEP. Since operations began, we have not received any complaints about audible noise (AN) or low frequency noise (LFN).

We have received a request from DRL to increase the current operating hours from 9am-5pm to 7am-10pm, which is contemplated by the LEP.

We support the government’s growth agenda, and want operators to succeed, but not if harm occurs to people’s health, or the environment.

Having considered the request carefully, we have decided to allow the extension to operating hours whilst we complete additional work assessing potential impacts from AN and LFN.

Activities may still only be carried out between 7 am and 10 pm, meaning that no crushing, screening and operation of the in-line pressure jigs under the LEP should occur outside those hours.

Please tell us if you experience any impacts following this change, by using our incident hotline number: 0800 80 70 60.