Imerys British Lithium newsletter

Imerys British Lithium Newsletter

Autumn 2023

Timeline

Meet the Team A drop-in event is being

2017

British Lithium begins field exploration, mapping and surveys

2018

UK’s first lithium drilling takes place on Imerys land

planned for early next year to give local people an opportunity to view our plans,

Imerys British Lithium Newsletter | Autumn 2023

comment on them and meet some of our team.

2019 –20

Geological evidence for mineral resource officially declared

“Imerys is an integral part of this community, and we intend to take the same approach with Imerys British Lithium,” said Mark

Patent applications for new technology made

Hewson, leads Imerys in the UK. “We want to hear what people

Innovate UK awards £1.5m research and development grant

think and make sure we address any concerns.”

“There is no doubt that the local area will significantly benefit

Preliminary Economic Evaluation successfully achieved

from this project, and we'll be consulting with residents, businesses, organisations and groups throughout the scale-up process to ensure everyone is kept informed.”

Pilot plant built, partly financed by £2m government grant

2021

More 2024 drop-in events are being organised and details

99.8% pure lithium carbonate produced at pilot scale

will be shared widely in advance on our website www.imerysbritishlithium.co.uk 2022 –23

Fact File

Ongoing work in the pilot plant £2m scale-up readiness validation grant awarded by Automotive Transformation Fund

• Lithium-ion batteries have the highest energy density, meaning they can store a large amount of energy in a relatively small and lightweight battery. This is crucial

• No European country is

for electric vehicles because

currently producing battery-

it allows them to travel longer

grade lithium

distances on a single charge

• Imerys is also developing

2024

another lithium project in

longer lifespan compared to

France

traditional batteries, which is

• Our project site is located within Cornwall’s historic clay mining area

important for the durability

performance by providing a

scale development is currently

consistent and reliable source

underway

of power and can be recycled

• Lithium is a chemical element

Geological evidence for significant lithium deposit declared

to mobile mobile phones and power tools.

Environmental baseline work progressed. Pre-feasibility study completed

Globally, we all need to reduce our carbon dioxide output in order to combat climate change.

Switching to battery-powered, electric vehicles and generating more renewable power is part of that.

Our government has stated that all new cars must be battery-powered by 2035 – so demand for the lithium needed for these cars is growing very quickly.

Lithium occurs naturally in some granites in parts of Cornwall and we have developed a patented, method to extract it. We are already producing high-quality lithium carbonate at

2025

Full planning application submitted

our pilot plant just outside of Roche.

This is a huge opportunity for Cornwall, which has mining embedded into its culture and

cost effectiveness of electric

• A pre-feasibility study for full

Lithium is an essential element needed for the production of batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, as they are known, are needed for everything from electric cars and bikes

and overall sustainability and vehicles. They deliver high

Why is lithium important?

Imerys British Lithium formed

Next steps

• Lithium-ion batteries have a

Growth for Cornwall

history. By combining the extensive mining knowledge of Imerys with the newly developed 2026

Construction of full-scale plant begins

technology of British Lithium, we are striving to bring substantial local investment and employment opportunities.

2028

Commercial operations start

“Our operational pilot plant and world-class

at the end of their life

team of scientists, allow us to continually

represented by the symbol

• Electric vehicles powered by

Li on the periodic table. It is

lithium-ion batteries produce

Contact us

the lightest solid element,

no greenhouse gas emissions

Imerys British Lithium Ltd

belongs to the alkali metal

when in use compared to

Roche Road, Stenalees,

group and has unique

traditional internal combustion

St Austell PL26 8ZH

electrochemical properties that

engine vehicles. This helps

make it essential for various

reduce air pollution and tackle

applications, including batteries

climate change

refine and demonstrate our unique patented processes. We are extracting lithium from Cornish mica-granite – on existing mining land, using sustainable methods, minimising transportation and maximising use of local renewable energy.”

bl.info@imerys.com

Andrew Smith

imerysbritishlithium.com

CEO Imerys British Lithium (IBL)

In a nutshell • Modern technology needs lithium-ion batteries • Annual IBL lithium carbonate production target – 21,000 tonnes per year, by the end of the decade • Enough to produce 500,000 electric car batteries every year

Imerys British Lithium Newsletter

Autumn 2023

Imerys British Lithium Newsletter

Autumn 2023

Economic boost for Cornwall Upscaling the Imerys British Lithium operation represents a major investment to the local economy.

In a nutshell • An increase in local, skilled careers

Once our full scale plant is operational,

• Training opportunities

around 300–400 skilled, jobs will be

• Commitment to local

created on site – with a commitment to

suppliers

local recruitment wherever possible.

• Community investment

Construction will take up to two years, generating opportunities for up to 900 people. We are committed to engaging local people and suppliers whenever we can.

Joining Forces We have been researching and test drilling on Imerys land around St Austell since 2017. With our pilot plant now operational for two years, we are already producing sample quantities of high-purity lithium carbonate from Cornish granite.

Introducing... Andrew Smith, CEO

Hundreds of Cornwall-based businesses

“We expect to produce 21,000 tonnes

will benefit directly and indirectly as

of lithium carbonate each year by the end

We will be investing in more specialist

they become part of the local supply

of the decade” explained Andrew Smith.

training opportunities, developed

chain, supplying goods and services from

collaboratively with local training

the project’s inception for at least

providers.

thirty years.

“Our operations are helping Cornwall strengthen its place on the global mining map.”

Towards a greener approach Our approach is both local and more sustainable. By locating

Andrew is CEO and co-founder of Imerys British Lithium.

the quarrying, concentration and refining on the same site

With a strong background in mining engineering, he

(a world first), waste and transport will be minimised, and

knew enough about the local geology to know that it

maximum value will be created right here in Cornwall.

was worth analysing Cornish granite for lithium content.

There will be minimal toxic chemical usage and local renewable

British Lithium was the first to ever drill for lithium in UK.

energy will power as much of the plant as possible.

Six years later, what began as a novel idea for extracting

We remain aligned with best practice, and are committed to

As a worldwide supplier of minerals for a variety of industries

and processing lithium carbonate from the mica in Cornish

including ceramics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, Imerys is

granite has turned into an exciting venture that’s garnering

one of Cornwall’s largest employers. The land on which

worldwide attention.

the lithium is found is part of existing china clay operations.

“I grew up in Perth, Australia, but now live in Newquay

recognised for its work on improving responsible mining,

Back in the summer, Imerys and British Lithium announced a

with my young family,” he said. “Cornwall has a rich

IRMA sets stringent socio-environmental criterion that that

new joint venture and Imerys British Lithium (IBL) was born.

mining heritage and I feel very privileged to be part of a

Our collaboration marks a significant milestone and paves

project that is building on local expertise, identifying new

the way for the development of a fully integrated mining,

resources and contributing to a greener future for all.”

achieving the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) standard. This is the sole independent, third-party assessment of industrial scale mine sites. Internationally

in Cornwall.

As an essential component of the batteries in electric vehicles, energy storage and other applications, lithium carbonate has a vital role to play in carbon reduction.

“We are unlocking the joint potential of British Lithium and

All cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2035 and JLR has

Imerys to create a successful lithium hub in the heart of our

recently announced the building of Europe’s largest lithium cell

china clay operation,” said Mark Hewson, Imerys UK Director.

gigafactory in Somerset, only 120 miles from our development

concentrating and lithium carbonate refining plant right here

we will fulfil.

In a nutshell • World’s first integrated lithium quarry, concentrator and refinery

near Roche.

• Low chemical use

Imerys, and the entire lithium battery industry. We’re delighted

Currently the UK and Europe depend on distant producers for

• Existing working site

to be working in partnership here in Cornwall where the

lithium supply, many of which use fossil fuels in their processes.

importance of mining is widely recognised – past, present

Having our own supply also means we are less impacted by

and future.”

geopolitical turmoils.

“Our joint venture marked a key milestone for British Lithium,

• Low water use

• Reduced transport • Optimum use of renewable energy • Rigorously assessed industry sustainability standards