W Resources PLC (LON:WRES) said it saw production rise sharply at the La Parrilla project in Spain in the fourth quarter of 2020.
A total of 261,841 tonnes (t) of run of mine (ROM) ore was fed to the La Parrilla plant in the quarter, up 53% on a like for like basis and up 15% on a pro-rata basis compared to the preceding quarter (adjusting for days worked).
Total tungsten and tin concentrate production weighed in at 133.4t, up 72% on a like for like basis and up 29% on a pro-rata basis compared to the third quarter (Q3).
Tungsten concentrate production of 100.0t during the quarter was up 83% on a like for like basis and up 37% on a pro-rata basis compared to Q3.
Tin concentrate production of 33.4 dry metric tonnes was up 46% on a like for like basis and up 9% on a pro-rata basis compared to Q3.
The tungsten, tin and gold mining company said it had made numerous plant improvements during the quarter resulting in major production increases across the board. These improvements continue apace and should be completed in early February 2021, W Resources said.
The plant continued to work a four-day week throughout the quarter but moved to a five-day week in early January. The plan is to have the plant operating on a seven-day working week by April of this year.
The company said it looked forward to once again operating the La Parrilla mine on a true 24/7 basis, which is widely accepted within the mining community as "best practice".
"As we continue to access the lower ore bodies of the mine we expect to see production numbers continue to rise in the months ahead,” said Michael Masterman, the chairman of W Resources in a statement.
"We are delighted to see that there is plenty of demand for our production from existing and potential new customers with healthy demand for all the tungsten and tin we can mine. It is also very reassuring to note both tungsten and tin prices strengthening.
"A great deal of thanks must go to our staff for their flexibility, determination and drive as they work towards improving the mine and making it run as efficiently as possible particularly in this challenging environment," Masterman added.