Mineral exploration and development company Cornish Lithium intends to commence drilling an initial research borehole in the vicinity of Blackwater to assess the potential for producing lithium from geothermal waters.

If follows the receipt of planning permission from Cornwall Council.  

Groundworks have now commenced and the drilling of the exploration borehole will begin after Easter, which is anticipated to take approximately six months to drill. 

Although Cornwall Council has granted permission for Cornish Lithium to drill for 24 hours a day, drilling operations will initially take place between the hours of 7am and 7pm.  

Permission has been granted under a General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) to drill this research borehole to a depth of approximately 2,000m (6,560 feet) at the Blackwater site to test the lithium potential of the geothermal waters that flow through its underlying permeable geological structures.

The drill rig will be the same as the one used by Cornish Lithium for its Twelveheads research borehole. 

Straw bale screening will be used around it to minimise visual impact and to help absorb noise, which will be monitored and controlled in accordance with Cornwall Council’s requirements. 

Samples of geothermal water will be collected at various depths within the borehole for testing purposes. 

Cornish Lithium will continue to engage with the Blackwater community by hosting a further drop-in session in a few weeks’ time, the date of which will be shared via the company’s website and social media channels.

“As we outlined during our recent presentation to local residents, an environmentally-sustainable domestic supply of lithium is an essential component of the UK’s transition to renewable energy and Blackwater has been identified as a highly prospective area to explore for lithium in geothermal waters from our extensive digital modelling of Cornwall’s geology,” said Mike Round, head of geothermal Lithium at Cornish Lithium. 

“Upon completion of our drill programme, test results from our exploration borehole will enable us to better understand the potential of the geothermal waters that underlie the site and could provide an important step towards achieving our aim of creating well-paid career opportunities for local people. 

“If anyone has any queries about our drill programme at Blackwater, we encourage them to telephone the drilling team on 01326 640 049 or email [email protected]” 

Cornish Lithium’s exploration programme at Blackwater joins existing projects at United Downs, Twelveheads and North Downs in forming part of the Company’s wider strategy to demonstrate Cornwall’s potential to produce lithium from geothermal waters, contribute to a secure, domestic supply of lithium for the UK, revive Cornwall’s mining heritage and impact positively on the Cornish economy. 

By extracting lithium from mineral-rich groundwaters that circulate beneath the surface of Cornwall, Cornish Lithium aims to provide a carbon-neutral, low-impact resource to help mitigate the global lithium shortage and produce valuable by-products, including heat, which can be used as a renewable energy source for local businesses and communities.