A new lithium production demonstration plant is set to open in Cornwall, marking a significant step in the UK’s shift towards clean energy. Cornish Lithium announced that the £15m facility near St Austell will begin producing lithium hydroxide—a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries—from granite sourced from an old China clay pit. This initiative aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on importing carbon-intensive materials from countries like China.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at the Trelavour Hard Rock project this Friday. The company plans to produce 10,000 tonnes of sustainable domestic lithium annually by 2027. According to CEO Jeremy Wrathall, lithium is essential for manufacturing EVs, grid-scale electricity storage, and rechargeable electronics. Currently, the UK imports 100% of its lithium, but by 2030, the demand is expected to reach 110,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.
Wrathall emphasized that Cornwall holds one of the largest lithium resources in Europe, with the potential to meet more than half of the UK’s EV industry needs. He noted that this resource is an untapped advantage, which could make UK industries more competitive and less vulnerable to global supply chain issues.
The £15m demonstration plant was funded through the National Wealth Fund, alongside The Energy and Minerals Group, TechMet, and the UK Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund. Wrathall added that this project could benefit an area with a 4,000-year mining heritage and help tackle social deprivation. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds praised the project for supporting high-skilled jobs in the South West and bolstering the UK’s critical minerals supply chains.
