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Lithium is a critical raw material utilised in the production of electric vehicle batteries . In order to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and meet net zero targets , the UK needs a secure supply of lithium as there is currently no commercial lithium production or refining in the UK or Europe . Consequently , this is a significant milestone as it advances the possibility of producing domestic lithium and , in turn , advancing an integrated batterysupply chain industrial hub in the North East of England . Lithium produced and refined in the UK will confer transportation cost advantages , supply assurances and an environmental premium over foreign suppliers .
This milestone enables Weardale to progress its step-wise plans for scaling up trials of lithium extraction using the DLE technologies of Watercycle Technologies , supporting and enabling the investment decision for the construction and operation of a pilotdemonstration plant for test-scale production of lithium . The modular pilot-demonstration facility will be located on the brownfield , former cement works at Eastgate . Commercial production of approximately 10,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year is being targeted which has the potential to directly generate around 125 new full time , highly skilled jobs . At commercial scale , Weardale estimates that £ 1 billion of gross economic value could be generated for the North East region .
Dr Seb Leaper , CEO of Watercycle Technologies , said : “ These positive results
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