Cornish Lithium Launches UK’s First Lithium Hydroxide Demonstration Plant in Cornwall
Cornish Lithium, a Westcountry mineral exploration company, has unveiled its lithium hydroxide demonstration plant at the Trelavour Hard Rock Project in St Dennis, Cornwall. The facility, the first of its kind in the UK, aims to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide, which is essential for electric vehicles (EVs), grid-scale electricity storage, and rechargeable electronics.
The launch marks a significant step towards commercial lithium production in the UK, advancing the nation’s transition to clean energy by 2030 while creating high-skilled job opportunities in Cornwall. The UK holds Europe's largest lithium resource, yet currently imports all of the lithium it consumes. The potential resource in Cornwall is estimated to be sufficient to produce 50,000 tonnes of lithium annually for over 20 years, supplying more than half of the UK’s projected EV demand.
The Trelavour Project repurposes a former china clay pit and utilizes low-carbon processing technology provided by Lepidico, which is expected to reduce emissions by at least 40% compared to traditional hard rock lithium mining. Cornish Lithium has already employed specialist technicians, engineers, and metallurgists to operate the facility, with a view to establishing a new mineral extraction industry for Cornwall.
Founder and CEO Jeremy Wrathall emphasized the facility's importance, stating, "The opening of this demonstration plant is a landmark moment for Cornish Lithium. It will confirm the viability of extracting lithium from Cornwall's mineral resources on a semi-industrial scale and enable us to supply high-grade samples to battery manufacturers. From 2027, the Trelavour Project aims to produce 10,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually, contributing GBP 800 million (USD 981 million) in Gross Value Added (GVA) to Cornwall's economy and creating over 300 jobs."
Wrathall further noted that the project's recognition as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project strengthens Cornwall’s role as a leading lithium hub in the UK. "This is Cornwall’s opportunity to kickstart Britain’s economic growth and transform the nation into a clean energy superpower," he added.
Cornwall Council Cabinet Member Louis Gardner also praised the achievement, noting that it symbolizes the region's evolution into a hub of innovation and contributes to the UK's move towards a low-carbon future. He emphasized the importance of Cornish Lithium's work in strengthening Britain's clean energy supply chain while boosting the local economy.
