Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) is set to produce 100t of technical grade lithium carbonate onshore in the UK.
Independent analysis has shown GEL has hit technical grade lithium carbonate with purity exceeding 99.3% from its plant in United Downs in Cornwall.
Production is set to commence in February 2026.
The company aims to become one of Europe’s largest producers within the next five years, with a target of over 30,000t per year.
The government has set a target of meeting 10% of the UK’s critical mineral demands from domestic production by 2035, including at least 50,000t of lithium carbonate.
Production at the United Downs site is forecast to hit around 2,000t per annum by 2029.
With the addition of other sites, anticipated total production from GEL will increase to 30,000t per annum by 2033.
Technical grade lithium carbonate is traded internationally, including through markets such as the Shanghai Metals Market.
As of 20 August 2026, the reference price was approximately US$22,000/t.
Extracted from IOM3 website read more here