Cornish Lithium Brine Extraction (United Downs Pilot Plant)
United Downs, Cornwall, England · 2022–Present (Pilot plant operational by March 2022) [1] · £2.9 million (for geothermal brine pilot plant) [1]; £35 million (equity funding to advance projects) [2]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchCornish Lithium is pioneering the extraction of lithium from geothermal brines in the UK, which is crucial for the domestic supply chain of electric vehicle batteries. The pilot plant at United Downs is a significant step in demonstrating this innovative and sustainable extraction method. [1] [4]
Key engineering challenges
Developing and scaling Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to efficiently recover lithium from geothermal brines. [4] - Drilling and managing deep geothermal wells for brine extraction. [3] - Ensuring environmentally responsible extraction processes with minimal impact. [4] - Proving the commercial viability of lithium extraction from geothermal waters in the UK. [4]
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Cornish Lithium Plc
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- Cornish Lithium
- Project type
- new build (pilot plant)
- Scale
- Pilot plant for Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) from geothermal brines; drilling and testing of two 2000m deep geothermal wells. [3]
- Disciplines
- chemical; geological; mining; environmental; process engineering; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- UK mining and environmental regulations.
Sources: Facebook: Cornish Lithium receives £2.9 million for geothermal (https://www.facebook.com/groups/298175743682261/posts/1990404567792695/) [1] - ThinkGeoEnergy: Cornish Lithium raises £35m equity funding to advance UK lithium and geothermal projects (https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/cornish-lithium-raises-35m-equity-funding-to-advance-uk-lithium-and-geothermal-projects/) [2] - New Civil Engineer: Two Lithium mining projects in Cornwall progressed with £31m NWF funding (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/two-lithium-mining-projects-in-cornwall-progressed-with-31m-nwf-funding-26-09-2025/) [3] - Cornish Lithium: Cornish Lithium Plc (https://cornishlithium.com/) [4]