A company searching for lithium in geothermal waters below the surface of Cornwall has announced plans to explore a fourth site.

Cornish Lithium is now heading to Blackwater for its latest project, which will be in addition to its sites at United Downs, Twelveheads and North Downs.

Having completed the required site surveys, the next phase of the process is to submit a General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) to Cornwall Council. This would give the relevant permissions to drill an initial research borehole, to a depth of 2,000m (6,560 feet) at the Blackwater site.

The company could then test the lithium potential of the geothermal waters that flow through its underlying permeable geological structures.

If the results of the first borehole are successful, Cornish Lithium said it may plan to drill a second borehole at this location, to further evaluate the potential for lithium production.

To share its plans with local people, Cornish Lithium – which has its headquarters at the Tremough Innovation Centre in Penryn - will host three community events at Blackwater Village Hall.

• A project presentation by Cornish Lithium’s management team, followed by a Q&A session from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, February 23

• A community drop-in session from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday, February 25

• A further community drop-in session from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday, February 28.

The events will give people who live in the area a chance to find out more about the proposed exploration project, raise any questions with members of staff and receive information sheets.

If the relevant permissions are granted by Cornwall Council, a six-month drilling programme would begin this spring, using the same drill rig in a similar set-up to the company’s exploration site at Twelveheads, with the addition of straw bale screening around the site.

Mike Round, head of geothermal lithium at Cornish Lithium, said: “An environmentally-sustainable domestic supply of lithium is an essential component of the UK’s transition to renewable energy and the manufacture of electric vehicles.

“Blackwater has been identified as a highly prospective area to explore for lithium in geothermal waters, from our extensive digital modelling of Cornwall’s geology.

“Test results from our research borehole at Twelveheads have already confirmed that the geothermal waters circulating at depth are significantly enriched in lithium so we hope to build on the knowledge that we have gained there to better understand the potential of the geothermal waters that underlie the proposed Blackwater site.

“We look forward to meeting local residents and sharing our plans.

“We have already created nearly 70 highly-skilled, well-paid jobs in Cornwall and with the success of projects like this, we hope to create further career opportunities for local people in the future. This exploration project could be an important step towards achieving that aim.”

Further details of the Blackwater exploration project can be found on Cornish Lithium’s website at https://cornishlithium.com/projects/lithium-in-geothermal-waters/blackwater/ Anyone unable to attend any of Cornish Lithium’s community engagement events but would like more information about the company’s drilling programme at Blackwater can email blackwaterdrilling@cornishlithium.com or telephone the drilling team on 01326 640049.