UK’s First Lithium Hydroxide Demonstration Plant Launched in Cornwall

Cornish Lithium is set to make history this week with the launch of the UK’s first lithium hydroxide Demonstration Plant at the Trelavour Hard Rock Project, located in St Dennis, near St Austell. This significant development is a major milestone for Cornwall and the wider UK as it moves closer to securing a domestic supply of lithium, a vital component in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and other renewable energy technologies.

A Step Toward Clean Energy

The launch of the Demonstration Plant signals a big step toward the commercial production of lithium in Britain, an essential element for the nation’s clean energy transition by 2030. Lithium, crucial for manufacturing EV batteries and large-scale electricity storage, currently has to be imported, despite the UK having the largest lithium resource in Europe.

Cornwall’s lithium-enriched granites hold enough of this vital mineral to support the extraction of 50,000 tonnes per year for over two decades. According to Cornish Lithium, this would be enough to supply more than half of the UK’s predicted demand for lithium for the EV industry, positioning the county as a key player in the global clean energy market.

Revitalising Cornwall’s Mining Heritage

Cornish Lithium’s Trelavour Project is repurposing a former china clay pit, using innovative low-carbon technology to extract lithium in an environmentally responsible way. The technology, provided by Lepidico, reduces carbon emissions by at least 40% compared to traditional hard rock lithium mining methods.

This cutting-edge approach enables the company to support the UK’s battery industry by creating a sustainable, secure source of battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The plant is also expected to create a significant economic boost for Cornwall, unlocking high-skilled job opportunities in the process.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Jeremy Wrathall, Founder, Interim Chairman and CEO of Cornish Lithium, highlighted the impact of the project on the local economy: “From 2027, our Trelavour Hard Rock Project is set to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide at a rate of 10,000 tonnes per year, which will contribute a GVA of at least £800m to the Cornish economy and create more than 300 jobs in Cornwall during the life of the project.”

The launch of the Demonstration Plant will also strengthen the UK’s position in the global market, reducing the nation’s reliance on lithium imports and reinforcing the supply chain for the growing electric vehicle market.

A Nationally Significant Project

In recent developments, the Government recognised Cornish Lithium’s work as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, marking the UK’s ambition to become a leader in clean energy technologies. Cornwall Council’s Louis Gardner praised the achievement, saying: “This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant moment for both the region and the nation’s ambition to become a leader in sustainable energy technologies.”

To learn more about Cornish Lithium’s projects, visit cornishlithium.com.

This landmark moment could be a game changer for both Cornwall and the UK as it takes a leading role in the global clean energy revolution.

Photo Credit: Cornish Lithium