For hundreds of years Cornwall has been renowned for its iconic mining industries which were an important contributor to the UK’s economy. Here in Mid-Cornwall china clay mining shaped the landscape for more than 250 years and is Cornwall’s largest mining industry.
Mining is a tradition
that we have managed to continue in Mid-Cornwall for centuries and we are now
leading the way with lithium extraction. With so much activity in the mining
industry here in Mid-Cornwall as it reclaims its mining pre-eminence, I am
looking froward to attending, and speaking at, the Cornish Mining Conference
this week.
This international
event attracts delegates from around the world and highlights the opportunities we have in
the UK, particularly in Cornwall, to responsibly extract the abundance of
metals and minerals we have and the potential investment opportunities that lie
ahead.
With increasing demand for lithium, which is used to make
batteries for everyday electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops, as
well as to power electric cars, which will be fundamental to
cutting carbon emissions and heading towards Net Zero, it is exciting that one of the most sought-after natural
resources can be found right here on our doorstep.
We know that Cornwall
has the right conditions for critical
mineral businesses to grow and currently have a number of pioneering mineral
exploration and development companies operating in Mid-Cornwall to explore the
area’s potential.
In an uncertain world, it is important that we improve the
resilience of critical minerals supply chains and have own domestic supply. It
is crucial that the minerals we will need to power the world in the future,
such a lithium, can be made available in the quantities needed and extracted in
responsible ways.
This places Cornwall, and the UK, at the forefront of the
green industrial revolution and create opportunities for businesses, which is
why I was pleased to see the announcement last month that £24m will be invested
into Cornish Lithium to progress the project already underway at Trelavour
Downs.
They
plan to extract lithium from hard rock in a repurposed china clay pit and
produce around 8,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, to a
construction-ready state, which will create much-needed jobs and training
opportunities in Mid-Cornwall.
This could
see the local workforce taken to over 300, and it is estimated that the company
could generate £800m of economic activity for the local economy over the
planned 20-year mine life, which would be great for Cornwall.
The development of lithium extraction in Mid-Cornwall is something I have worked to support for many years as it will be
a huge boost to the local
economy and also ensure we continue
to lead the world in this sector for years to come.
The
funding is part of a wider funding package of £53.6m, which will be used to
accelerate progress toward the creation of a domestic supply of lithium.
In
June we also saw a new joint venture partnership announced between Imerys
Minerals and British Lithium, which is developing processing methods to produce
high quality lithium carbonate, to enable commercial battery grade lithium to
be extracted and processed right here in Mid-Cornwall.
I do believe that this is just the tip of the
iceberg for Cornwall, with many other minerals which are used to provide
housing and infrastructure as well as for food production, potentially being
found here. I am looking
forward to seeing what further opportunities can be explored and to seeing this industry grow
and develop in Mid-Cornwall.
If I can be of
assistance on any matter, my office is available for any constituents needing
help, advice or guidance – tel: 01726 829379 or email: office@stevedouble.org.uk
