Independent analysis predicts that British Lithium’s extraction technology and proposed mine will lead the world in greenhouse gas emission reduction (GHG). Its environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks are also likely to be significantly lower than those of existing lithium mines.
Those are the findings of a benchmarking process carried out as part of the £2.9 million Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Phase 2 grant awarded to British Lithium by Innovate UK.
With sustainability key to averting catastrophic climate change, the Cornwall-based company needed to prove its green credentials in a rigorous assessment that included comparing its forecast energy consumption, GHG emissions, water consumption and recycling plans with current lithium producers.
The analysis has just been completed and, in the final SBRI report, British Lithium’s pilot plant at Roche, near St Austell, is described as ‘an exemplary project which is a good role model for both Innovate UK investment and for business alike’. It also concluded that the company had exceeded its objectives, met its planned timetable, was on budget and that both marketing and project planning activities ‘exceeded expectations’.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome and would like to thank SBRI and the Innovate UK teams for all their support and help to date,” said British Lithium CEO Andrew Smith.
“Looking after the environment is an absolute must and, to that end, we’ll continue doing as much as we possibly can to improve our sustainability as we progress towards full operational status.”
British Lithium is currently producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from the mica in Cornish granite at its newly built pilot plant. Patents are pending for the innovative processes involved and, if all goes according to plan, full scale operations are expected to begin within three to five years’ time.
By 2030, when all UK car manufacture will have to be exclusively electric, British Lithium anticipates producing around one third of the UK’s lithium carbonate demand.
For more information, visit www.britishlithium.co.uk