UK Announces Lithium Mining in Cornwall

• Imerys and British Lithium are partnering to mine battery-grade lithium carbonate in Cornwall. The venture could create 300 jobs and supply 500,000 electric cars with the component by 2030. Supported by UK government and Innovate UK, the project builds on Cornwall's mining heritage and could help secure the future of the car industry.

Imerys and British Lithium have announced a joint venture to mine battery-grade lithium carbonate in Cornwall. The project aims to supply 500,000 electric cars with the component per year by the end of the decade and could potentially create 300 direct jobs. The two companies will use a process to extract the lithium from granite quarry rock and refine it for car manufacturers. This is part of the UK government's effort to secure the future of the car industry and create jobs in the region. The project is also supported by the Automotive Transformation Fund and has received financial support from Innovate UK. It builds on Cornwall's rich mining heritage and is said to be a “turning point” to a more sustainable industry in the region.

What Impact Will Imerys-British Lithium JV Have?

• The joint venture is a key part of the UK government's initiative to create a secure future for the car industry and generate employment in the region.
• The mining process used by Imerys and British Lithium has the potential to be a much more sustainable approach to lithium extraction than traditional methods, with no need for large-scale open-pit mining.
• The project is set to be a major boost to the local economy, with the potential to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, and to benefit local businesses that provide materials and services to the quarry.
• The project could also be the start of a new industry for Cornwall, as the lithium extracted from the quarry could be sold on to battery manufacturers for use in electric vehicles.
• The joint venture between Imerys and British Lithium is expected to have a positive impact on the UK's economic growth, with 500,000 electric cars being supplied with battery-grade lithium carbonate by the end of the decade.
• The project could also help to reduce the UK's emissions, as electric vehicles are a much greener form of transport than petrol or diesel cars.