Wolf Minerals has received approval for continuous operation at its Drakelands mine in Devon, UK, as well as an extension of planning permission at the site. The approval for 24-hour operations, seven days a week means there is potential to increase tungsten and tin production at the mine's processing plant by 20%. Under planning permission granted in 1986 to the previous owners, the primary crusher at the Hemerdon mine was permitted to operate for 5.5 days per week, with restricted working on public holidays. But the installation of a roll crusher, which is much quieter than the jaw crusher considered in 1986, means it has been possible to review the restriction on operating hours. Wolf was initially permitted to trial extended operating hours in order to provide data on noise levels created by the crusher. It has now received approval for continuous operation of the crusher, and consequently, the processing plant as a whole. In addition, planning permission for the mine in Hemerdon has been extended from 2021 to 2036. Planning permission for 35 years' mining and processing of tungsten and tin at Drakelands was originally granted in 1986, meaning it was due to expire in 2021. The approval of the planning permission extension also satisfies the conditions precedent to the extension of the tenor of Wolf's senior debt. As a result, Wolf's senior debt principal repayments have been deferred until January 2018, and the tenor of the senior debt has been extended until June 2023, as per a conditional agreement signed last month.