RCS - Weardale Lithium Ltd - Planning Submitted for Lithium Extraction Plant

E3 LithiumAnnouncement

30/04/2024 08:15

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RNS Number : 5003M  Weardale Lithium Limited  30 April 2024

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

30 April 2024

 

Planning application submitted for lithium extraction plant at Eastgate in
Weardale, County Durham

 

Weardale Lithium Limited ("Weardale Lithium", "WLL", or the "Company"), an
innovative natural resources development company based in County Durham, UK,
is pleased to announce that it has submitted a planning application to Durham
County Council for the phased construction of a lithium extraction plant at
Eastgate in Weardale, County Durham.

 

The facility will be located on the brownfield, former cement works at
Eastgate, near Stanhope, for processing geothermal groundwater from existing
deep, high specification, production wells nearby. The facility will form part
of a plan for regeneration of the old works site, the development of which
will be under the highest environmental and safety standards. A local
consultation process was carried out ahead of filing the planning application
to fully take into consideration the views of local residents and
stakeholders. The community engagement was positive with considerable support
expressed for the development and regeneration of the site utilising critical
minerals processing which is vital for energy transition.

 

The groundwaters will be transported from well-sites via carefully located
pipelines, negating the need for tanker journeys on minor roads, to the pilot
plant. This will enable the pilot plant able to operate with continuous flow
at significant flowrates. Once completed, it will be one of the most advanced
lithium extraction plants in Europe. The site is sufficiently large enough for
processing to scale-up lithium extraction, and also for other uses such as
geothermal energy infrastructure, green technologies and associated business
opportunities. Not only can the site potentially act as a regional centre for
producing lithium from multiple locations and sources, but also as a hub for
business connected with energy transition and sustainability.

 

Initially, it is estimated the development plan will create 20 to 50 on site
jobs plus additional employment within the local construction sector and
supply chains.

 

Scaling up to full commercial production, over the next 4 years, could produce
approximately 10,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, creating around 125
jobs and generating an estimated £1bn of gross economic value for the North
East region.

 

The Eastgate site has been dormant for over 20 years since the closure of the
cement works with the estimated loss of over 120 jobs. The Company believes
utilising a brownfield, former industrial site in an extensively rural area is
a logical proposal and will avoid unnecessary greenfield development in
Weardale.

 

The application for the pilot plant follows over 3 years of work in the area
including trialling of multiple Direct Lithium Extraction ('DLE') technologies
to find the optimal way to extract lithium from the geothermal groundwaters.
Weardale Lithium was the first company to successfully extract lithium from
the groundwaters in the North Pennine Orefield.

 

DLE is a low-impact, low-carbon and low-water usage method of extracting
lithium and will be done so using renewable energy sources where feasible.

 

For the first 12 months of the site's operation, a field trials stage project
will be conducted, paving the way for the construction of the larger capacity
pilot plant.

 

The planning application is accompanied by comprehensive ecological and
biodiversity, noise, air quality, highways, landscape, heritage, groundwater,
surface water and flood risk assessments.

 

Stewart Dickson, CEO of Weardale Lithium, said:

 

"This application for a pilot processing plant adjacent to existing wells is
the next significant step towards establishing a facility for domestic lithium
production from naturally occurring geothermal groundwaters in the North East.

 

The development, if approved, will represent a multi-million pound investment
in Weardale and generate highly skilled jobs vital to the energy transition.
This transition requires a significant amount of critical minerals such as
lithium. By developing this project the UK can move towards secure, domestic
and fully traceable supply.

 

We have long signalled our intent to re-develop the site at Eastgate and
breathe new life into the derelict former industrial site, which, if our
application is successful, will become a focal point for the UK lithium
industry together with green energies and technologies co-located. We have
been pleased to receive very positive responses from the local communities and
parish councils during our consultation phases and look forward to working
together to make this future facing project a reality."

 

ENDS

Contacts:

 Weardale Lithium Limited                                  Recognition PR
 Stewart Dickson                                           Jamie Collis
 info@weardalelithium.co (mailto:info@weardalelithium.co)  01325 363436  Jamie.collis@recognitionpr.co.uk
                                                           (mailto:Jamie.collis@recognitionpr.co.uk)

 

 

Photo caption:

 

Editors' Notes:

About Weardale Lithium

 

Weardale Lithium Limited is an innovative natural resources development
company seeking to provide a secure and sustainable, domestic supply of
lithium with associated geothermal energy from underground brines in Weardale,
County Durham. Extraction of lithium from brines by Direct Lithium Extraction
processes has been assessed by third parties to have higher sustainability
credentials (low water consumption and low waste) when compared to processing
techniques required for alternative lithium sources.

 

Supply of domestic lithium is of strategic importance to the UK in achieving
its net-zero ambitions and production of high-value batteries for electric
vehicles in the auto-manufacturing sector.  Lithium is classified as a
Critical Mineral by the UK Government. There is no lithium production or
refining in the UK and Europe despite a significant market opportunity and
rising demand. Lithium produced and refined in the UK will confer
transportation cost advantages, supply assurances and an environmental premium
over foreign suppliers. Weardale Lithium will support the "net-zero" ambitions
of the UK.

 

For more information, please visit: www.weardalelithium.co
(http://www.weardalelithium.co) or follow us @weardalelithium on X and
Weardale Lithium on LinkedIn.

 

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