A project that could lead to the extraction of lithium from deep underground on Cornwall Council-owned land has secured £1.28m.
The funding from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme will accelerate plans for a series of small-scale modular plants that could support hundreds of jobs, according to the local authority.
The project between Cornwall Council and private firm Cornish Lithium Geothermal will see the development of lithium – a component in battery technology – and heat extraction from geothermal waters using low-carbon technology.
Under the proposals, two exploration wells will be drilled to a depth of around 1,000 metres where temperatures of lithium-rich waters are around 40 degrees Celsius. After reaching target depth, geothermal brines will be brought to the surface to establish lithium concentration, potential flow rates and water temperature.
If the exploration programme is successful, Cornish Lithium will undertake a full feasibility study before seeking additional private sector funding.
The company has ambitions for multiple plants, each employing around 30 staff, with each one producing battery-grade lithium and geothermal heat for homes, schools, hospitals or commercial and industrial buildings.
Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: “Lithium is a vital component of battery technology and crucial to the net zero transition, and Cornwall has the largest lithium resource in Europe. That’s why the Good Growth Programme is already investing millions of pounds in developing the strategic critical minerals sector.”
Cornish Lithium has already drilled four wells in the Redruth area, with its fifth nearing completion. It is using the lithium-enriched brines from the wells to test environmentally responsible lithium extraction technologies at its pilot plant at United Downs. It is also working with residential and commercial developers on using geothermal heat across a range of settings.
Jeremy Wrathall, Cornish Lithium chief executive, said: “This Good Growth investment combined with our collaboration with the council means we can significantly accelerate and expand our exploration drilling programme.”
One of the sites under consideration for the provision of geothermal heat is Langarth Garden Village, a development on the edge of Truro that will see 3,800 new homes, two schools and a range of sport and leisure facilities built over the next 20 to 25 years.
Dulcie Tudor, Cornwall Council member for Threemilestone and Chacewater, added: “There is huge potential for the combined extraction of lithium and heat from deep underground in Cornwall. I welcome the partnership between Cornwall Council and Cornish Lithium to explore how this twin resource can reduce emissions, provide a sustainable source of lithium for the energy transition and create jobs and investment in our communities.”