PENRYN-based Cornish Lithium has been nominated for three technology and mining industry awards.

The first of these nominations is in the Innovation category of the inaugural Tech South West Awards that cover Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

The Innovation Award, sponsored by strategic business consultancy, Granted, is for individuals and organisations that lead the field in product or service development, new collaboration, new technologies developed, solutions delivered, markets reached or problems solved.

Additionally, Cornish Lithium’s CEO and Founder, Jeremy Wrathall, has been shortlisted in the 17th Annual Mines & Money Awards in the CEO of the Year, Emerging Company category and Senior Exploration Geologist, Lucy Crane has been nominated in the Rising Star in Mining category.

Cornish Lithium is exploring the potential of extracting lithium from the geothermal waters that occur naturally and circulate deep beneath historic mine workings in Cornwall.

It has secured agreements across the county with the holders of mineral rights and is now engaged in a widespread exploration programme.

The Mines & Money Awards ceremony is the largest mining investment event in Europe at which 500 industry leaders and global heavyweights gather to honour the companies and individuals who have excelled.

Mr Wrathall said: “These nominations recognise Cornish Lithium’s innovative use of digital technology to evaluate whether the lithium-enriched geothermal waters deep beneath Cornwall’s surface could contribute a significant proportion of the domestic supply of this battery metal that the UK needs.

“As the world transitions to a de-carbonised economy, with renewable energy and electric cars playing a key role, our focus is how we are going to source the raw materials that this transition requires in an environmentally responsible manner.

"We believe that our use of modern digital technology to re-assess the geology of Cornwall for metals such as lithium gives us a vital advantage during our exploration programme. By combining historic data, such as old mine plans, with cutting-edge satellite imagery, we are not only recognising opportunities for lithium exploration and extraction, but also for other battery metals throughout the county.

"The potential to develop a new industry in Cornwall, focused on battery metals, could be of huge importance to British industry and Cornwall’s future prosperity. We are therefore delighted that our endeavours are being recognised in this way by our industry peers.”

The 17th Annual Mines & Money Awards ceremony will be held at The HAC in the City of London on Tuesday, November 26.

The Tech South West Awards ceremony will be held at the Exeter Mercure Rougemont Hotel on Wednesday, November 27.