French mineral processing company Imerys has acquired an 80% stake in UK start-up British Lithium. Together they will mine and process lithium in Cornwall, England. This would be the UK’s first integrated lithium refinery.
The combination of this and the EMILI project in France would make Imerys the largest integrated lithium producer in Europe, according to British Lithium. It would represent more than 20% of the announced European lithium output by 2030.
British Lithium said the transaction will bring together Imerys’ expertise in mining, its infrastructure in Cornwall, R&D and process development capabilities, as well as its lithium mineral resources, with British Lithium’s bespoke technology and lithium pilot plant. The plant recently produced battery-grade lithium carbonate, the company said.
British Lithium has carried out drilling and exploration on land owned by Imerys in Cornwall. It received financial support from Innovate UK, the UK government’s innovation agency, and the Automotive Transformation Fund. This is a funding programme that supports vehicle electrification and UK supply chains.
Drilling has resulted in inferred mineral resources being estimated at 161 million tonnes – at a grade of 0.54 % lithium oxide. British Lithium said this gives enough confidence to target a mine life of over 30 years at a production rate of 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent per year.
The partnership will benefit from Imerys’ existing mining footprint in Cornwall, its experienced teams, and solid infrastructure, as well as its lithium expertise developed through its EMILI project in France. British Lithium said the mine will adhere to the highest social and environmental standards and follow the IRMA standard global benchmark.
The transaction has been approved by the UK government under the National Security Investment Act protocol.
