Tungsten explorer Hazelwood Resources, MD, Terry Butler-Blaxell recently provided an update on its ATC Ferrotungsten plant being constructed in Vietnam.

Terry reported that construction is progressing on schedule with completion during December 2010. The current schedule provides for a production start-up in early 2011 with first sales of ferrotungsten during the March quarter of 2011. Construction supervision and materials procurement are being facilitated through ATC’s office based in Haiphong, Vietnam where approximately 20 staff are presently engaged, with additional support provided by Hazelwood’s own engineering representatives. At its peak the construction workforce will be approximately 120 persons.

All pilings have been installed for the main furnace hall, laboratory, cooling pond, ablution block and canteen. Formwork for beams in the main furnace hall is progressing. Underground services to the main furnace hall have been completed. Steel structure fabrication will take place during July and August. The main furnace hall is expected to be completed around November. A minor adjustment to the original schedule has been made due to ATC’s requirements for a high level of quality control and routine independent inspections.All major plant and equipment including furnace switchgear, hydraulic systems and transformers have been fabricated and are ready for shipment to site for installation during November.