A new lithium extraction facility is set to open in Cornwall, with Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL) investing around £43 million. The project has received an Offer in Principle worth nearly £10 million through the Government’s DRIVE35 Automotive Transformation Fund.
This investment is expected to create nearly 50 direct jobs and support approximately 80 additional jobs across the supply chain. The government states the mine will enhance the UK's industrial resilience and secure vital supply chains for the automotive, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Commercial production at GEL’s Cornwall project is anticipated to begin in 2029. The facility is projected to produce around 1,500 tonnes of technical-grade lithium carbonate annually from geothermal brine, which is sufficient to power over 180,000 typical electric vehicle car batteries.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds commented that companies like Geothermal Engineering are helping to write the next chapter for Cornwall's mining heritage and unlock the South West's industrial potential. Dr. Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, stated that the company is proud to be at the forefront of establishing a new UK lithium industry, demonstrating how Cornwall’s geothermal brine can provide a reliable and sustainable source of this critical mineral.