Cornish Lithium has announced fresh plans to explore whether the mineral can be produced from geothermal waters at a new site in the county.
The Penryn-based company has undertaken a number of projects to demonstrate commercial capability of lithium production in Cornwall, with the element seen as a vital component in products such as batteries for electric vehicles.
The mining firm has now said it is intending to drill an initial research borehole to a depth of 2,000m at a site near the village of Blackwater, around four miles north of United Downs where it completed a £4m pilot lithium extraction plant last year.
The business said surveys had identified Blackwater as “a highly prospective area” for Lithium exploration and it was currently seeking permission from Cornwall Council to begin its search there.
If its plans are approved Cornish Lithium said it would begin a six-month drilling programme in the spring, with a similar set-up to one it is currently operating at nearby Twelveheads.
The company said if the results of the first borehole at Blackwater were successful, it could drill a second at the site for further evaluation.
A series of events in Blackwater have been announced by the business for this month, in order to share its plans with local people.
Mike Round, head of geothermal lithium at Cornish Lithium, said: “We have already created nearly 70 highly-skilled, well-paid jobs in Cornwall and with the success of projects like this, we hope to create further career opportunities for local people in the future. This exploration project could be an important step towards achieving that aim.”
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