Northern Lithium has successfully expanded its operational footprint in the North Pennines of County Durham. Through a new agreement with the Church Commissioners for England, the company has secured extended mineral rights over a 60,000-acre area, setting the stage for an ambitious exploration and production endeavor aimed at extracting lithium and other minerals from saline brines.
This move is particularly timely, as lithium has become increasingly vital for the production of rechargeable batteries. Until now, the UK's battery manufacturers have relied heavily on lithium imports from continents such as Asia, Australia, and South America. However, with Northern Lithium's latest venture, along with efforts from other companies across the North East and South West, the groundwork is being laid for domestic lithium production.
Following promising initial findings of commercially viable lithium concentrations and successful production trials last year, Northern Lithium is poised to dramatically scale up its operations. The company's vision includes producing 10,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually, derived from multiple production sites across the newly acquired expanse.
Nick Pople, Managing Director of Northern Lithium, expressed enthusiasm over the partnership with the Church Commissioners for England, highlighting the shared vision of establishing a sustainable, domestically sourced lithium supply. Pople underscored the potential economic boon this project could bring to the local community, the North East, and the UK at large, positioning the region as a key player in the lithium extraction and supply chain.
Ciara Williams, representing the Church Commissioners for England, echoed this sentiment, praising the initiative as a forward-thinking endeavor that aligns with the UK's critical mineral strategy and green economy goals.
The expansion and development plans of Northern Lithium have garnered support from the government, with Industry and Energy Security Minister Nusrat Ghani lauding the project. Ghani emphasized the strategic importance of bolstering the UK's critical mineral supply chains and hailed the North East's role in enhancing the nation's electric vehicle production capabilities and advancing the net zero transition.
