Explore the future of lithium production with Imerys British Lithium
Extracting lithium from Cornish granite and processing it sustainably.
Researching and developing brand new technology.
Advancing towards UK-produced, battery-grade lithium.
Launched in 2023, Imerys British Lithium (IBL) combines the expertise and resources of both Imerys and British Lithium in a joint venture.
As a worldwide supplier of minerals for a variety of industries including ceramics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, Imerys is one of Cornwall’s largest employers and owns the land where a significant lithium deposit has been found.
British Lithium was established in 2017 by highly experienced mining professionals who, since then, have been researching and developing newly patented methods of extracting lithium and producing lithium carbonate here in Cornwall.
An operational pilot plant has been up and running research and development work near Roche since 2022, and this is already producing battery quality lithium carbonate.
Ultimately, we aim to produce around 21,000 tonnes of high quality lithium carbonate every year, before the end of the decade, over the next 30 years.
Cinovec Lithium
Cominco Phosphate
Windimurra Vanadium
The team behind Imerys British Lithium have successfully implemented a number of resource projects over the years. Some of these are showcased here.
We are developing a production method with the lowest environmental footprint possible. Car electrification is based on the need for a greener future and lithium production must be sustainable.
Our highly efficient process uses our patented Mi-Sep and Li-Sep technologies to concentrate lithium mica without using chemicals and is powered by renewables.
We go to great lengths to minimise our use of chemicals so the waste coming from our plant does not need neutralising. Once we have made a lithium mica concentrate, we calcine it at low temperature using lime as a reagent, rather than acid. The solution is subsequently purified to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
