A DROP-IN event to keep people informed about a plan to build a pioneering lithium production plant that could create hundreds of new jobs in the Clay Country near St Austell is being held on Tuesday (June 18).

The event will run at Penwithick Community Hall (57 Penwithick Road, PL26 8UH), from 2pm to 7pm and is the latest in a series of public consultations.

Imerys British Lithium (IBL) is planning to build a full-scale lithium processing plant to the south of Roche where there is already a pilot plant.

There have been encouraging results from the pilot plant which is the first of its kind in Europe and a small-scale version of what is planned.

The event in Penwithick will give people a chance to ask questions and share feedback.

IBL plans to quarry, process and refine lithium carbonate at one site, to minimise traffic on local roads. The business says more than 350 jobs should be created as lithium, which is particularly in demand for the batteries of electric vehicles, is produced.

An IBL spokesperson said of the drop-in event: “An expert team will be on hand, encompassing planning, geology, processing and management. They will present plans and use feedback gathered to shape the planning application, which will be submitted next year.

“Further events will take place across the rest of the year so that as many local people as possible get to view the plans. These will be held at Treverbyn Community Hall on July 31, in St Dennis on September 11 and at St Stephen on October 23.

“IBL has been running an operational pilot plant near Roche for the last two years and is already producing high-quality lithium carbonate. The next stage is to build the world’s first integrated lithium quarry and production plant - on land previously used for clay extraction over the centuries.

“IBL is undertaking a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment that will help to inform and shape its proposals. These include keeping Hensbarrow Beacon free from development and transforming the derelict grade II listed miner’s cottage at Hensbarrow Farm into a visitor centre.”