Towering over a high street in a former mining heartland, a statue of a pitman reminds Cornwall of its industrial past. Now, a new generation of miners is using cutting-edge technology to extract lithium, a metal essential for batteries in electric cars and electronic devices, hoping to revive the county's economy.
In 2020, Cornish Lithium discovered significant levels of the metal in hot springs near Redruth, enough to create hundreds of jobs. The company, along with rival British Lithium, plans to start production by 2026, aiming to extract about 10,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to 12.5% of the UK's forecast demand by 2030.
The mining revival has sparked excitement but also uncertainty. Frances Wall, professor of applied mineralogy at the Camborne School of Mines, noted that while the community is generally favourable, some people are concerned about environmental impacts, fearing a repeat of damaging lithium operations abroad.
Local climate activist Nichola Andersen expressed scepticism, while Loveday Jenkin of Cornwall Council welcomed the prospect of high-quality jobs but questioned why lithium cannot be processed locally into batteries. As the UK lags behind in building gigafactories, the race to harness Cornwall's 'white gold' continues amidst calls for clean extraction and local benefit.
