Cornwall’s unique geology, characterized by heat-generating granite, makes it one of the few places in Europe where both geothermal energy and lithium extraction are commercially viable in tandem. The region is currently playing host to two major lithium projects that utilize different technological approaches to reach the same goal. While GEL’s operation at United Downs focuses on scaling geothermal lithium extraction—pulling the mineral from hot, deep-seated underground waters—another major project, Trelavour, is pursuing a different path.
The Trelavour project, which was a subject of parliamentary discussion as recently as May, is currently in its pre-planning stages. Unlike the United Downs site, Trelavour intends to extract lithium directly from the region’s granite rock. Evidence presented to Parliament suggests that the scale of the Trelavour operation could be transformative for the UK’s mineral independence. Cornish Lithium, the company behind Trelavour, expects to produce 10,000 tonnes of lithium per year once the site is fully operational. Construction at Trelavour is currently slated to begin in 2028.
When combined, these Cornish projects represent a formidable portion of the UK’s future mineral requirements. It is estimated that the 10,000 tonnes per year projected from Trelavour alone could meet roughly 20% of the UK’s total lithium production target for 2035. When added to the scaled-up production from GEL’s United Downs site and other potential satellite operations, Cornwall is positioned to become the engine room of the UK’s battery supply chain.
The environmental benefits of the geothermal extraction method used at United Downs are a key factor in the government’s decision to provide funding through the Automotive Transformation Fund. Traditional lithium mining, often associated with vast evaporation ponds in South America or intensive hard-rock mining in Australia, can have a significant environmental footprint. In contrast, the geothermal method used in Cornwall is relatively low-impact. By extracting lithium from the brine that is already being pumped to the surface for heat and power generation, the process maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes land use.
This synergy between renewable energy and mineral extraction is a critical component of the UK’s "green industrial revolution." The ability to produce the raw materials for EV batteries using the very renewable energy that those vehicles aim to promote creates a virtuous cycle of sustainability. This aligns with broader scientific efforts within the industry to refine the "green recipe" for the entire lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries, from sustainable extraction to innovative recycling methods.
The creation of more than 100 jobs at the United Downs site is also a major win for the local economy in Redruth and the wider Cornwall area. These roles are expected to span a variety of sectors, including chemical engineering, site management, geological research, and high-tech maintenance. The influx of investment is seen as a way to revitalize a region with a deep-seated mining heritage, transitioning from the tin and copper mines of the 19th and 20th centuries to the high-tech mineral extraction of the 21st.
