Major Progress in UK Lithium Production
Northern Lithium Ltd (Northern Lithium) is pleased to announce a significant breakthrough in its lithium brine project located in the Northeast of England. The company has successfully wrapped up a 30-day lithium brine pumping test, representing a significant advancement in demonstrating the commercial feasibility of its lithium brine project. Testing was conducted at two litres per second, yielding results that exceeded the company’s expectations. Flow rates for lithium extraction are now projected to reach commercially viable levels of 30 litres per second, surpassing Northern Lithium’s initial production modelling.
Key Steps Towards Commercialisation
Building on the success of the pump tests, Northern Lithium will continue with crucial next steps over the next twelve months. These include:
- Installing and trialling an in-field Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant
- Conducting a 60-day pump test at significantly higher flow rates
- Drilling additional production and feasibility boreholes in 2025
- Preparing and submitting key planning and permitting applications for further project development
The company’s confidence in its lithium brine project’s future is bolstered by these advancements. Northern Lithium now aims to move swiftly toward commercial production, which could potentially begin as early as 2027.
£6 Million Fundraising for Future Development
To support its next phase, Northern Lithium has announced a fundraising programme aimed at raising approximately £6 million. The funds will be used to accelerate the installation of the DLE demonstration plant and carry out further pump tests. The first tranche of funding will come from a mix of strategic, high-net-worth investors, alongside retail investors via Crowdcube. This marks the first time the company has engaged with retail investors, reflecting the project’s significantly de-risked status.
Northern Lithium has already received strong support from private investors and UK Government initiatives, particularly through the Automotive Transformation Fund, which is managed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK. The additional funding will play a critical role in taking the company closer to full-scale commercial production.
Achievements from 30-Day Test Programme
During the 30-day testing period, Northern Lithium met several key milestones, including:
- Proving the presence of commercially viable lithium concentrations at high flow rates
- Demonstrating an increase in brine temperature, supporting the hypothesis of deep brine recharge
- Showing the potential for a closed-loop lithium brine processing system, abstracting and reinjecting brines through separate boreholes to meet environmental standards
These achievements strengthen the company’s position as a pioneer in the UK’s lithium sector and confirm the viability of its project in the North Pennine Orefield.
Meeting the UK’s Growing Lithium Demand
UK demand for lithium is projected to surge dramatically in the next few decades. By 2030, the UK is forecast to require up to 80,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) annually, a figure that could rise to 135,000 tonnes by 2040. The need for lithium is driven by the expanding electric vehicle (EV) sector, which is expected to produce over one million EVs annually between 2030 and 2035, creating demand for more than 100 GWh of automotive batteries.
Battery requirements for grid-scale energy storage are also rapidly increasing. The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has projected a need for 200 GWh of energy storage by 2050, compared to just 4.6 GWh currently in operation.
Strategic Location and Partnerships
Northern Lithium’s project benefits from its location in the Northeast of England, near a growing cluster of gigafactories and EV manufacturing hubs. The company has secured exclusive rights for development, appraisal, and production across 240 sq km of the North Pennine Orefield for up to 45 years.
To enhance its development capabilities, Northern Lithium has partnered with UK advanced technology filtration specialists Evove Ltd. Evove will install and trial the demonstration plant using its membrane-based DLE technology, further supporting Northern Lithium’s commercialisation efforts.
A Promising Future for UK Lithium Production
Nick Pople, Managing Director of Northern Lithium, emphasised the importance of the recent test results, noting: “The outcomes of the 30-day test programme represent a significant milestone not only for Northern Lithium but for the UK lithium industry as a whole. We remain confident in our ability to achieve commercial production by 2027 and scale up to deliver over 10,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually within the next decade.
As the UK accelerates its shift towards clean energy, Northern Lithium’s advancements in lithium production are poised to play a critical role in securing a reliable and sustainable domestic supply of this essential mineral.
