Imerys British Lithium Newsletter | Autumn 2023
Growth for Cornwall Why is lithium important? 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 to mobile mobile phones and power tools. 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 our pilot plant just outside of Roche. This is a huge opportunity for Cornwall, which has mining embedded into its culture and history. By combining the extensive mining knowledge of Imerys with the newly developed technology of British Lithium, we are striving to bring substantial local investment and employment opportunities.
“Our operational pilot plant and world-class
In a nutshell
team of scientists, allow us to continually refine and demonstrate our unique patented processes. We are extracting lithium from Cornish mica-granite – on existing mining land,
• Modern technology needs lithium-ion batteries • Annual IBL lithium carbonate
using sustainable methods, minimising transportation
production target – 21,000 tonnes
and maximising use of local renewable energy.”
per year, by the end of the decade
Andrew Smith CEO Imerys British Lithium (IBL)
• Enough to produce 500,000 electric car batteries every year
Imerys British Lithium Newsletter
Autumn 2023
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 Andrew is CEO and co-founder of Imerys British Lithium. With a strong background in mining engineering, he knew enough about the local geology to know that it was worth analysing Cornish granite for lithium content. British Lithium was the first to ever drill for lithium in the UK. Six years later, what began as a novel idea for extracting
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 the
worldwide attention.
lithium is found is part of existing China clay operations.
“I grew up in Perth, Australia, but now live in Newquay
Back in the summer, Imerys and British Lithium announced
with my young family,” he said. “Cornwall has a rich
a 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.”
concentrating and lithium carbonate refining plant right here in Cornwall. “We are unlocking the joint potential of British Lithium and Imerys to create a successful lithium hub in the heart of our China clay operation,” said Mark Hewson, who leads Imerys in the UK. “Our joint venture marked a key milestone for British Lithium, Imerys, and the entire lithium battery industry. We’re delighted to be working in partnership here in Cornwall where the importance of mining is widely recognised – past, present and future.”
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.
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 the quarrying, concentration and refining on the same site (a world first), waste and transport will be minimised, and maximum value will be created right here in Cornwall. There will be minimal toxic chemical usage and local renewable energy will power as much of the plant as possible. We remain aligned with best practice, and are committed to achieving the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) standard. This is the sole independent, third-party assessment of industrial scale mine sites. Internationally recognised for its work on improving responsible mining, IRMA sets stringent socio-environmental criterion that
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. All cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2035 and JLR has recently announced the building of Europe’s largest lithium cell gigafactory in Somerset, only 120 miles from our development
we will fulfil.
In a nutshell • World’s first integrated lithium quarry, concentrator and refinery
near Roche.
• Low chemical use
Currently the UK and Europe depend on distant producers for
• Existing working site
lithium supply, many of which use fossil fuels in their processes. Having our own supply also means we are less impacted by geopolitical turmoils.
• Low water use
• Reduced transport • Optimum use of renewable energy • Rigorously assessed industry sustainability standards
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, 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
Patent applications for new technology made
Mark Hewson, who leads Imerys in the UK. “We want to hear
Innovate UK awards £1.5m research and development grant
what people 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
Imerys British Lithium formed
they can store a large amount of
Geological evidence for significant lithium deposit declared
energy in a relatively small and lightweight battery. This is crucial • No European country is
for electric vehicles because
currently producing
it allows them to travel longer
battery-grade lithium
distances on a single charge
• Imerys is also developing
• Lithium-ion batteries have a
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
2024
Environmental baseline work progressed. Pre-feasibility study completed
2025
Full planning application submitted
2026
Construction of full-scale plant begins
2028
Commercial operations start
and overall sustainability and cost effectiveness of electric vehicles. They deliver high
• A pre-feasibility study for full
performance by providing a
scale development is currently
consistent and reliable source
underway
of power and can be recycled
• Lithium is a chemical element
Next steps
at the end of their life
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
bl.info@imerys.com imerysbritishlithium.com