County Durham could be a domestic source of a key metal for new energy technologies after Weardale Lithium successfully extracted lithium from geothermal brines in the region.
following the completion of laboratory scale Direct Lithium Extraction (‘DLE’) test-work with multiple technology providers, including the production of a sample of lithium carbonate.
Funded by a grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre Automotive Transformation Fund, Weardale Lithium has been trialling the effectiveness of several technologies to extract lithium hydroxide from geothermal brines found in existing boreholes at Eastgate, County Durham. All trials produced very positive results with elevated results of lithium extraction and recovery rates.
Lithium is a critical raw material utilised in the production of electric vehicle batteries but there is currently no commercial lithium production or refining in the UK or Europe. The successful trial advances the possibility of producing domestic lithium and in turn advancing an battery supply chain industrial hub in the North East of England.
Weardale Lithium can now progress step-wise plans for scaling up lithium extraction trials and supports an investment decision for a pilot-demonstration plant. The modular pilot-demonstration facility will be located on a former cement works at Eastgate. Commercial production of approximately 10,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year is being targeted.
Stewart Dickson, CEO of Weardale Lithium, said: “We have taken a significant step forward in establishing that the naturally occurring geothermal brines are amenable for lithium production and validated a number of direct lithium extraction processes. We will now accelerate and scale-up the testing of increased volumes of brine towards first production.
…Whilst there is still much to do, we have made significant steps towards being able to generate a domestic supply of lithium in the North East that will support vehicle electrification in the years to come.”
Dr. Seb Leaper, CEO of WaterCycle Technologies said: “At Watercycle we have developed a process that produces zero waste, is water-neutral and requires 95% less land than conventional lithium extraction processes. All that will be left after operations are a few manhole covers and so the natural beauty of the Weardale region will be preserved for future generations as well.”