Cornish Lithium has announced plans for new exploration project at Tolgus and is inviting the local community to find out more. 

The mineral exploration and development company has released details of the community engagement programme relating to its next Lithium in Geothermal Waters Project at a proposed site in the vicinity of Tolgus in Redruth. 

Based on the company’s extensive digital modelling of Cornwall’s geology, Tolgus has been identified as a highly-prospective area to explore for lithium in geothermal waters. 

Having completed the required site surveys, the next phase of the process is to apply for a temporary six-month General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) from Cornwall Council, as well as the necessary permits from the Environment Agency, for the relevant permissions to drill an initial research borehole of around 10cm in diameter to a depth of 2,000m at the site and test the lithium potential of the geothermal waters that flow through its underlying permeable geological structures. 

As part of its ongoing commitment to proactive community engagement, the company is inviting local people to attend a presentation and Q&A session at Redruth Community Centre tomorrow from 5pm-7pm, followed by an informal drop-in information session at Tricky’s, The Tolgus Inn, on Wednesday, March 13 between 3pm-5pm. 

These events will provide those who live and work in the area with an opportunity to find out more about this proposed exploration project and raise any questions with members of staff. 

If the relevant permissions are granted, a six-month drilling programme would commence this spring, using the same drill rig as previously used at other Cornish Lithium exploration sites in Cornwall, such as Blackwater and Twelveheads.  

This drill rig would be approximately 12-metres in height and acoustic screening would be installed to minimise noise and visual impacts, which has already proved successful. 

“A responsible domestic supply of lithium will help to establish a battery industry in the UK, which is fundamental to support the UK automotive industry’s shift to manufacturing electric vehicles and is expected to be a key catalyst in the resurgence of Cornwall’s 4,000-year mining heritage,” said Mike Round, head of geothermal lithium at Cornish Lithium. 

“It is also used in laptops and smartphones – the everyday electronic devices upon which most of us rely – as well as in energy storage batteries utilised alongside renewable energy projects.” 

“We have already created more than 75 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 and we look forward to sharing our plans with local residents and businesses.” 

The planned geothermal lithium project at Tolgus would form part of Cornish Lithium’s wider strategy to contribute to a secure, domestic supply of lithium for the UK. 

Anyone unable to attend these community engagement events but would like more information about Cornish Lithium’s proposed exploration programme at Tolgus, should email [email protected] or telephone on 01326 640 640.