Jeremy Wrathall, the Founder and CEO of Cornish Lithium, discusses how pioneering and innovative mineral exploration and development can supply the raw materials needed for the green industrial revolution and advance a sustainable economy.
THE KEY TO UK ENERGY TRANSITION
The UK government has acknowledged that lithium will be vital to our automotive sector’s electric vehicle (EV) transition and will drive the green industries of the future. As such, Cornwall’s critical minerals resources – lithium, tin, and tungsten – are essential components of a commercially and environmentally sustainable net zero UK economy, positioning the region as a linchpin in the future of the UK’s energy transition.
Cornwall has the largest lithium deposit in Europe, with enough beneath our feet to extract 50,000 tonnes per year for over 20 years – over half of what the EV industry needs, presenting a significant opportunity to ethically produce lithium for the UK. Yet, the UK currently imports all of its lithium from overseas.
We’re on a mission to change that. Cornish Lithium aims to sustainably provide around 20,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide – around 20 percent of the UK’s annual needs by 2030.
Every tonne supplied domestically by Cornish Lithium is one tonne less than the UK needs to import from overseas. Accelerating the development of Cornwall’s critical minerals resources would deliver, de-risk, and decarbonise critical minerals supply chains vital to the future of UK manufacturing-based sectors and generate much-needed economic growth for Cornwall and the UK.
We are advancing lithium production from two sources – hard rock lithium extraction and geothermal waters lithium extraction.
THE UK’s FIRST LITHIUM HYDROXIDE DEMONSTRATION PLANT
Our Trelavour Hard Rock Project is testing and refining the extraction of battery-grade lithium from granite rock. Several processing steps are required after mining, so to perfect our technology on a larger scale before building a full-sized commercial plant, we’ve built a demonstration facility at our site near St Dennis.
This new demonstration plant marks a major step forwards in supporting the UK’s shift to net zero. This state-of-the-art facility uses a new and innovative processing technology developed by Lepidico that is less energy-intensive than conventional processing technology used to extract lithium from hard rock.
Located just one kilometre from the Trelavour Pit, the plant can produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide all in one place without needing extra shipping or processing.
By 2028, the demonstration plant will evolve into a fully operational production plant. In addition to lithium, the demonstration plant could create valuable by-products, reducing waste and benefitting various industries. Examples include amorphous silica for green cement, sulphate of potash for fertiliser, and gypsum for plasterboard.
LITHIUM IN GEOTHERMAL WATERS
In addition to hard rock sources, lithium can dissolve in the geothermal waters beneath Cornwall. These mineral-rich waters offer a unique opportunity for sustainable lithium extraction.
We’re using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology to produce lithium from geothermal water pumped from deep below the surface. This process not only produces lithium but also taps into significant amounts of low-carbon heat energy, which could potentially be used to benefit local industries and communities.
The process used in our geothermal lithium extraction plants can be likened to a water purification system. Mineral-rich water is pumped from approximately 2,000 metres below the surface via a borehole and passed through columns where the lithium is extracted from the water. The water is returned to the ground via a second borehole, and the lithium is removed.
‘MINES TO WHEELS’ SUPPLY CHAIN
In addition, the UK has started building the components of a ‘mines to wheels’ supply chain. Mining battery-grade lithium in Cornwall will support the production of EV batteries to help the UK become a powerhouse for green technologies and much more.
The potential of Cornwall’s critical mineral resources will have a significant positive impact. A secure, responsible domestic supply will reduce carbon emissions, bolster the UK’s economic resilience, strengthen energy security, and create much-needed high-quality, high-productivity careers in the region and across the UK through supply chain development.
Development of critical minerals in Cornwall has already attracted significant UK and foreign direct investment, complemented by UK government equity investment through the National Wealth Fund and grant funding from sources including the Automotive Transformation Fund. This private and public co-investment should be sustained to enable Cornwall to realise the full potential of its critical minerals.
By extending its support for critical growth sectors, including critical minerals, the government will unlock long-term economic growth, generate thousands of high-quality, high-productivity jobs, support UK-wide supply chain development, and, in doing so, secure the UK’s cleaner, greener energy future.
