Cornish Lithium Secures Planning Permission for Burncoose Project

Cornish Lithium has secured planning permission to move forward with its Copper House Lithium Project at Burncoose, near Redruth.

Cornwall Council’s Mineral Planning Authority has granted consent for the company to explore for and extract lithium from brine at the site. Subject to successful exploration, the approval also allows for the potential installation and operation of a testing facility.

The planning consent, application and supporting documents can be viewed on the Cornwall Council online planning register using reference PA25/07197.

What Has Been Approved?

Following in-depth desk research reviewing historic mining data, extensive 3D modelling and exploration success in 2023, the Burncoose location has shown strong potential for lithium extraction from geothermal waters circulating deep underground within Cornwall’s geology.

The first phase of the Copper House Lithium Project will involve site preparation and the drilling and testing of two exploration boreholes to depths of around 2,000 metres.

If that stage proves successful, the second phase would include further site preparation and the drilling and testing of two commercial-scale production boreholes.

A third phase, also covered by the planning consent, would allow for the installation and operation of a demonstration-scale lithium extraction processing plant. This would assess both the quantity and quality of lithium contained within the extracted brine.

The potential for geothermal heat as a by-product would also be evaluated. This heat could support existing and future commercial operations, as well as local housing nearby.

As part of the planning process, assessments covering ecology, noise, heritage and land have been carried out by local experts. These findings will guide delivery of the project in consultation with businesses, residents and other stakeholders.

Lithium and the UK’s Supply Chain

Lithium is a key component in lithium-ion batteries, which power consumer electronics, electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage systems.

The Copper House project forms part of Cornish Lithium’s wider ambition to establish a portfolio of modular, commercial-scale lithium production plants across Cornwall, helping to secure a domestic supply of lithium for UK industry.

Martin Geissler, VP General Manager for Lithium in Geothermal Waters at Cornish Lithium, said:

“The approval of our planning application to explore for and extract lithium from brine at this location, as well as the potential to install and operate a testing facility, is another major milestone towards securing a domestic lithium supply and creating career opportunities and economic benefits for surrounding communities.

“The UK Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy aims to produce 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK by 2035 and Cornish Lithium has a key role to play in contributing to that objective. In addition to the 10,000 tonnes per year that we intend to produce at our Trelavour Lithium Project near St Dennis, we are targeting 10,000 tonnes per year across our Lithium in Geothermal Waters portfolio. As we advance our Cross Lanes Lithium Project towards commercial production, it is vital that we continue to identify other sites with exploration and development potential, such as Copper House at Burncoose.

“At depths of around 2,000 metres, the temperature of the brine reaches around 80°C so geothermal heat as a by-product of lithium production could be a game-changer for Cornwall’s horticulture and agriculture sectors, as well as residential heating in the years to come. We look forward to evaluating the lithium and geothermal heat production potential of our Copper House Lithium Project facilitated by this planning consent when all the data has been gathered and analysed.”

📷A computer-generated image of Cornish Lithium’s Copper House Lithium Project looking south from the site entrance. - Credit Bailey Partnership