Cornish Lithium has announced plans for a new exploration project to assess the potential for producing lithium from geothermal waters in the vicinity of Blackwater.
The proposed new project at is part of Cornish Lithium’s strategy to demonstrate Cornwall’s potential to produce lithium from geothermal waters and would be in addition to the company’s existing portfolio of projects at United Downs, Twelveheads and North Downs.
Having completed the required site surveys, the next phase of the process is to submit a General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) to Cornwall Council for the relevant permissions to drill an initial research borehole to a depth of 2,000m (6,560 feet) at the Blackwater site and test the lithium potential of the geothermal waters that flow through its underlying permeable geological structures.
If the results of the first borehole are successful, Cornish Lithium may plan to drill a second borehole at this location to further evaluate the potential for lithium production.
To share its plans with local people, Cornish Lithium will host three community engagement events at Blackwater Village Hall on February 23, 25 and 28.
Head of geothermal lithium and Cornish Lithium, Mike Round, said: “Blackwater has been identified as a highly prospective area to explore for lithium in geothermal waters from our extensive digital modelling of Cornwall’s geology. Test results from our research borehole at Twelveheads have already confirmed that the geothermal waters circulating at depth are significantly enriched in lithium so we hope to build on the knowledge that we have gained there to better understand the potential of the geothermal waters that underlie the proposed Blackwater site.
“We look forward to meeting local residents and sharing our plans. We have already created nearly 70 highly-skilled, well-paid jobs in Cornwall and with the success of projects like this, we hope to create further career opportunities for local people in the future. This exploration project could be an important step towards achieving that aim.”
