Cornwall to Lead UK’s Lithium Revolution as First Commercial Geothermal Plant Gets Green Light

Groundbreaking project set to begin this spring

Cornwall is set to take a pioneering role in the UK’s push for domestic lithium production after Cornish Lithium secured planning permission to build the country’s first commercial geothermal lithium production facility. The facility, located at the Cross Lanes Lithium Project near Chacewater, will mark a significant step towards reducing the UK’s reliance on imported lithium, a critical material for electric vehicles and battery storage.

Cornwall Council has granted consent for the two-phase project, which will begin with the drilling and testing of two 2,000-metre-deep geothermal wells. These wells will extract lithium-enriched waters, using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, before reinjecting the water back underground. The company is also exploring the potential for using the geothermal heat from these waters to provide heating for local homes and businesses.

Demonstration Plant to Validate Lithium Extraction

Following the successful drilling and testing phase, Cornish Lithium will construct a temporary demonstration plant at Cross Lanes. This plant will be used to validate lithium production, producing sample materials for battery and electric car manufacturers. If testing proves successful, a full-scale commercial lithium plant will be developed at the site.

Cornish Lithium has already completed an exploration borehole at Cross Lanes, confirming that lithium-rich geothermal waters naturally circulate beneath the area. The company has been evaluating different DLE technologies at its United Downs pilot plant since 2021, further strengthening the feasibility of large-scale lithium production in Cornwall.

📷Cornish Lithium Cross Lanes Project Render

Work Expected to Begin This Spring

With planning permission secured, work on the Cross Lanes site is set to begin in the coming months. Cornish Lithium’s Founder, Interim Chairman and CEO, Jeremy Wrathall, described the approval as a “key milestone”, highlighting the company’s commitment to developing a domestic source of lithium that could help support the UK’s battery and electric vehicle industries.

“The approval of our planning application to build the UK’s first commercial geothermal lithium production facility at Cross Lanes near Chacewater is fantastic news and a key milestone in our efforts to produce a domestic source of lithium from geothermal waters that were first identified in Cornwall in 1864.”

Jeremy also emphasised the company’s commitment to minimising environmental impact and continuing engagement with local communities, authorities, and businesses as the project progresses towards full-scale production.

A Step Towards the UK’s Lithium Independence

Lithium is a critical mineral for the production of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage, making a secure domestic supply a vital part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. Cornish Lithium has been working to unlock the county’s historic mineral potential in a low-carbon, environmentally responsible way.

The company, founded in 2016, now employs 105 staff across its sites in St Dennis, United Downs, and Penryn.

📷Cornish Lithium Cross Lanes Project Render