North East Lithium Firm Secures Government Support for Major Feasibility Study
Weardale Lithium has received a significant boost from the UK Government, securing grant funding to advance its geothermal lithium extraction project in County Durham. The funding comes through the Government's DRIVE35 Scale-Up: Feasibility Studies competition, marking a pivotal step in developing a domestic source of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Project Details and Economic Impact
The grant will enable Weardale Lithium to undertake a comprehensive £700,000 feasibility study. This study aims to map the geothermal lithium-bearing brinefield within the North Pennine Orefield, located beneath the North Pennines. The project has the potential to create between 20 and 50 high-value jobs in the region, contributing to long-term economic benefits.
Weardale Lithium has already secured planning permission to build its lithium extraction facility at the former Eastgate cement works in County Durham. The initiative aligns with the UK's net zero ambitions by producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from geothermal groundwaters, reducing reliance on imported raw materials and strengthening the resilience of the UK's electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing base.
Statements from Key Figures
Stewart Dickson, CEO of Weardale Lithium, expressed enthusiasm about the funding: "Securing support through the DRIVE35 Scale-Up programme is an important milestone for Weardale Lithium and for the development of a secure, domestic lithium supply in the UK. This funding enables us to undertake critical subsurface mapping and technical analysis of our geothermal brine resource in County Durham, providing the data needed to inform commercial scale-up and future investment decisions."
Dickson added: "Our project aligns directly with the UK Critical Minerals Strategy and wider UK Battery Strategy. By developing low-carbon Direct Lithium Extraction integrated with on-site conversion to battery-grade lithium carbonate, we are positioning the North East at the forefront of the UK's emerging battery materials supply chain while creating high-value jobs and long-term economic benefits for the region."
Broader Industry Context
The grant to Weardale Lithium is part of a wider investment package into the UK automotive industry, emphasizing the government's commitment to zero-emission mobility. Ian Constance, CEO of Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, commented: "The projects announced today demonstrate the UK's determination to lead the shift to zero-emission mobility. By facilitating the UK Government's DRIVE35 grants, we are turning world-class innovation into industrial capability. With our partners in DBT and Innovate UK, we are backing manufacturers, empowering SMEs, and strengthening the UK's sovereign supply chain."
Constance further noted: "This multi-million pound support package is more than an investment in technology; it is an investment in the people, skills, and companies that will define the future of clean transport. Together, we are building the foundations of a competitive, resilient, and sustainable automotive industry."
This development underscores the growing importance of domestic lithium production in supporting the UK's transition to sustainable energy and electric vehicles, with the North East playing a crucial role in this emerging supply chain.
