Angela Rayner has endorsed a plan to transform an abandoned Cornish clay pit into a lithium mine, aiming to power UK-made electric vehicles with domestically produced batteries. The Trelavour pit, located north of St Austell, could potentially supply 25,000 tonnes of lithium annually to the UK battery industry by 2030, according to Cornish Lithium, the company spearheading the project.
Lithium, a crucial component in battery manufacturing, was first discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfwedson. As the lightest metal and least dense solid element, it has become essential for the growing electric vehicle market. The development of this site could help meet the increasing demand for lithium as more motorists transition to electric vehicles in the coming years.
Jeremy Wrathall, CEO of Cornish Lithium, stated that the development would reduce Britain's reliance on imports. He emphasized the importance of maximizing the potential of industrial-scale lithium deposits already present in Cornwall's brownfield sites. This move aligns with the UK government's target to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, highlighting the urgency for domestic lithium production.
The extraction process involves using water jets to blast away clay, leaving mica, a mineral rich in lithium. This method takes advantage of Cornwall's unique geology, as the region's granite formed approximately 280 million years ago and is rich in lithium deposits. In fact, Cornwall is believed to have the most abundant lithium reserves in Europe, potentially positioning it as a center for UK lithium mining.
The project's significance is underscored by Angela Rayner's decision, as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to designate it as a "project of national significance." This classification allows for expedited approval by ministers rather than local authorities, potentially fast-tracking the development process.
Cornish Lithium estimates that a homegrown lithium industry could supply over half of the UK car industry's projected demand of 80,000 tonnes by 2030. This domestic production could significantly reduce carbon costs and logistical expenses associated with importing lithium from countries like Australia, South America, and China, where it is commonly sourced.
"For 2024, UK electric vehicle quotas are set at 22% of all new cars sold, rising every year thereafter up to a target of 80% in 2030 and a target of 100% by 2035."
As of September 2024, there are over 1.2 million fully electric cars on UK roads, representing about 3.5% of the total. This number is expected to reach approximately 20% of all cars by 2030, indicating a surge in lithium demand. The growing importance of lithium extends beyond the automotive industry, as it is also used in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, and digital cameras, as well as in non-rechargeable batteries for heart pacemakers, toys, and clocks.
Cornish Lithium's ambitious plans include producing 10,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually from the Trelavour pit, with an additional 15,000 tonnes to be extracted from geothermal waters found elsewhere in the county. This initiative not only aims to meet the growing demand for lithium but also revitalizes Cornwall's rich mining heritage, which dates back to the Bronze Age and once made the region the world's largest producer of tin and copper.
As the global lithium market continues to expand, with China currently being the world's largest producer, the development of domestic lithium production in the UK could play a crucial role in securing a sustainable supply chain for the country's growing electric vehicle industry.