Cornish Lithium, the pioneering mineral exploration and development company that is supporting the UK’s transition to Net Zero, has welcomed the UK Government’s Minister for Industry and Economic Security, Nusrat Ghani, to its Trelavour Project at St Dennis, near St Austell.
Minister Ghani visited several critical mineral extraction companies whose development projects are spearheading a modern, environmentally-responsible industry in Cornwall, in support of the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and Cornwall Council’s Industrial Strategy to build more resilient, domestic supply chains.
Following the receipt of investment from the UK Infrastructure Bank, Cornish Lithium was singled out as a particular success story because the Company is developing two sources of lithium. At the Trelavour Project, Cornish Lithium plans to extract lithium from a hard rock source through the repurposing of an existing china clay pit together with the existing infrastructure associated with it to minimise its environmental impact, utilising truly innovative technologies.
It is also exploring for lithium in the geothermal waters that circulate naturally through geological structures in the granite deep beneath the surface, through a portfolio of projects that extends across Cornwall.
What is more, Cornish Lithium is in the process of building a Demonstration Plant at Trelavour that is expected to have the capacity to produce a battery grade lithium compound at the same location.
By 2030, the UK is expected to require c. 80,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for electric car batteries and renewable energy storage.
Cornish Lithium expects to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per annum from its Trelavour Project, with its lithium in geothermal waters projects providing additional upside.
Commercial production at Trelavour is expected to begin in 2027 and create 300 new jobs at the site.
Cornish Lithium Founder, Interim Chairman and CEO, Jeremy Wrathall led Minister Ghani on a tour of Trelavour, accompanied by Chief Financial Officer, Varshan Gokool and Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Forward, highlighting the location of the Demonstration Plant that is currently under construction and the china clay pit that they intend to mine for lithium in hard rock. Cornish Lithium also plans to drill an exploration borehole to investigate the potential for lithium in geothermal waters at this location, which provided the senior management team with an opportunity to showcase both methods of lithium extraction that the Company is pioneering.
Jeremy Wrathall said: “We were delighted to host Minister Ghani on site. The support we have received from the Government at both a national and local level has been invaluable in helping us to attract the investment needed to advance our exciting portfolio of projects, which aims to provide the UK with a responsibly-sourced supply of lithium for electric car batteries and renewable energy storage, and galvanise the next chapter in Cornwall’s 4,000-year mining history.
“Our Trelavour Project alone has the potential to generate a GVA of £800m for the Cornish economy and provide around 300 well-paid careers, as well as support many more in the supply chain, which will be significant in terms of its positive impact on Cornwall.”
“Our Trelavour Project alone has the potential to generate a GVA of £800m for the Cornish economy and provide around 300 well-paid careers, as well as support many more in the supply chain, which will be significant in terms of its positive impact on Cornwall.”
