Over recent years, Cornwall has increasingly become a leader in the UK in delivering sustainable energy and green industries.
Just recently we have seen, for example, the switching on of
the Eden Geothermal plant, which harnesses the geothermal energy beneath our
feet to power both the Eden Project and other associated infrastructure in a
green and sustainable way.
Last week saw even more progress in Cornwall’s sustainable
ambitions, with the announcement of a new joint venture partnership between
Imerys Minerals and British Lithium to extract and process commercial battery
grade lithium right here in Mid-Cornwall.
Cornwall of course, has a long history of mining. In the 19th
Century we were the silicon valley of the UK, leading the way in the extraction
and production of materials needed to drive industry and the economy at the
time.
In the 21st century we are looking more than ever
to a green and sustainable future – it is a necessity, and something that the
Government takes very seriously, looking to end sales of new petrol and diesel
cars to end in the UK by 2030.
Lithium is a major component in electric vehicle batteries,
and as such is a highly sought out mineral, one of the most coveted in the
world. Having a supply of it and the means to extract and process it in
Cornwall, is a major boost, not just for our Duchy but for the UK, for which
having one of the only available sources of lithium in this part of the world
will be a strategic advantage, decreasing our dependence on other sources. As
well as the implications nationally, there will of course be a significant
benefit to our local economy, in terms of hundreds of well paid, highly skilled
jobs, a real boost to our existing mining operations in this area, and just the
sort of investment that we need.
One thing that has been raised with me in the past is around
the potential environmental impact that lithium extract will have on our area,
based on the significant works we have seen for the extraction of china clay
and the similar way in which lithium is extracted in other places
internationally. I am pleased to see that British Lithium have again innovated
and have pioneered an extraction method for lithium which will keep environmental impact to a minimum, as well
as typically operating at the bottom of existing china clay pits. This is
really good news as it means that there should not be any major changes to the
landscape beyond what we already have, and additional work to extract lithium
will be taking place on brownfield sites that are already in use.
I look forward to seeing the partnership between British
Lithium and Imerys evolve and develop and their operations to extract and
process lithium start in Cornwall over the coming years.
If I can be of assistance or help on any matter, please get
in touch with my office on 01726 829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk
