Adam Matthews, an Exploration Geologist at Cornish Lithium (“the Company”), recently (20th – 21st February 2019) presented a poster at the 4D Geological Modelling: Predicting the Future conference at the Geological Society of London (to download/view click here). It showcased the Company’s 3D reconstruction of geological structures using historic mining data with Leapfrog Geothermal software (For more detail see: https://www.cornishlithium.com/could-lithium-mining-be-cornwalls-new-frontier/). As the Company moves forward and learns more about the hydraulic properties of the fracture network, modern 4D geological modelling techniques will be utilised to understand the fluid flow paths, mass transfer and production sensitivity of naturally circulating lithium enriched geothermal fluids within a fractured basement reservoir.
In 1859, just 5 years before the discovery of lithium-enriched hot springs in Cornwall, the first oil well was produced in Pennsylvania which later revolutionised the foundations of the society seen today and through the 20th Century (Gordon, 2007). During this period the oil and gas industry benefited from billions of dollars of investment to learn how these fluids moved and were stored within the subsurface. Conferences such as this allow different industry sectors to share the cutting-edge technology and methods which they now employ; the event allowed Cornish Lithium to draw from a wealth of experience, developing the Company’s understanding of fractured basement reservoirs. As global demand for lithium continues to rise, due to increased battery storage capacity and the electric vehicle revolution, lithium in Cornwall, which was discovered just 5 years after the world’s first producing oil well, could provide a domestic source of a critical battery metal for the UK.
Gordon, J. (2007). 10 Moments That Made American Business. American heritage magazine, [online] (Vol. 58, Issue 1). Available at: http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2007/1/2007_1_23.shtml [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019].
