RSE can confirm that the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Pilot Plant for GeoCubed at Cornish Lithium’s Geothermal Waters Test Facility at United Downs was commissioned and delivered at the end of March 2022, according to time and on budget. The project was delivered in collaboration with RSE company Sheers.
The Direct Lithium Extraction Pilot Plant has been designed to process Cornish geothermal waters using DLE technologies and is the first time that a DLE system has become operational in the UK. The £4 million Pilot Plant is being supported by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with a £2.9 million grant from the UK Government’s Getting Building Fund.
Initially, the Pilot Plant will test the GeoLith Li-Capt® DLE technology and process the 140 metres of deep geothermal water successfully obtained during Geothermal Engineering Limited’s (GEL) testing at its own United Downs site last year. This is expected to confirm that lithium can be produced in Cornwall from geothermal waters, and the Pilot Plant is expected to provide sufficient information to enable the design of a commercial lithium plant in the county.
Pictures above taken while work was still in progress
Mark Livingston, RSE Director of Products, Technology and Modular Solutions said:
RSE is proud to be a partner supporting GeoCubed in delivering the UK’s first Direct Lithium Extraction Pilot Plant. It is a testament to the proactive and collaborative relationship between all parties that the plant has been delivered on time and on budget. We look forward to supporting GeoCubed in developing and commercialising lithium extraction in Cornwall and help contribute towards the UK’s Net Zero target.
Jeremy Wrathall, CEO and Founder of Cornish Lithium said:
We are delighted to announce that the United Downs DLE pilot plant has been successfully commissioned on time and on budget. This is testament to the hard work and commitment of the GeoCubed team and our technology partners at GeoLith. The Pilot Plant will be a great asset for the Company as we work to establish the most appropriate DLE technology with which to process Cornish geothermal waters.
Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O’Brien, said:
The delivery of the UK’s first Direct Lithium Extraction Plant is an incredible example of innovation at its finest and a proud moment for the people of Cornwall. Backed by nearly £3 million of government funding, the Extraction Plant will contribute towards the UK’s Net Zero target and is excellent proof of levelling up in action.
Mark Duddridge, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, said:
This pilot plant could be a foundation for a new hi-tech battery metals industry in Cornwall, creating a secure, sustainable supply for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing in the UK, with the potential to support thousands of jobs. The LEP is delighted to have backed this project with £2.9m of Getting Building Fund investment and we hope it will pave the way for a commercial scale plant.
