Scientists analysing samples of rock for the presence of lithium at a Cornwall-based laboratory say they are seeing better than expected results – and could potentially be capable of supplying one third of what the UK would need for an electric revolution by 2030.

Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries, used in technology such as mobile phones, laptops and electric cars.

British Lithium aims to extract lithium carbonate from the mica in granite and hopes to progress to full-scale production in three to five years’ time.

A 13-tonne bulk sample was excavated by geologists at a location near St Austell where the company has been drilling over the last two years.

Initial testing was undertaken by locally based mining consultancy Wardell Armstrong and more detailed work is now taking place in the company’s laboratory.

British Lithium Limited's chair Roderick Smith said: “Our tests are suggesting a potential yield of 21,000 tonnes of battery-quality lithium carbonate a year, which represents about one third of what the UK would need for its electric revolution by 2030."

“Our preference is to use the strategic advantage of a UK supply of lithium to attract a battery plant to Britain as a customer; however fast-growing demand from Europe could also be met from the UK.

"The ultimate aim is to set up a lithium refinery that would supply lithium carbonate to the local automotive industry."

He said that the UK car industry was the biggest exporter the country had, employing around 800,000 people and making 1.3 million cars in 2018 – 80 per cent of which were exported.

At the end of last year Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that sales of new cars and vans powered wholly by petrol or diesel vehicles would be phased out by 2030 in the UK.

Exawatt, a UK-based strategic and research consultancy, has calculated that if 90 per cent of passenger car production is switched to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2030, approximately 1.5 million would be produced each year, with a requirement for at least 75GWh of lithium-ion battery production capacity.

Based on an estimated average BEV battery capacity of 50kWh, this means the UK will require at least 60,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) to meet forecast demand.

“Our tests are suggesting a potential yield of 21,000 tonnes of battery-quality lithium carbonate a year, which represents about one third of what the UK would need,” added Mr Smith.

British Lithium Limited's CEO Andrew Smith agreed: “The results are indicating a higher grade of lithium than anticipated, which is very exciting.

"No other company in the world is currently producing lithium from mica and, given the increasing demand for batteries as the UK moves towards more sustainable technology, the work we are doing promises to have a significant impact on the local and national economy.”

BLL has recently been awarded an Innovate UK Smart Grant to help fund the analysis.

With operations ramping up in 2021, the company is about to embark on a third round of excavation drilling.