Enhancing geophysical exploration of geothermal lithium prospects in Cornwall via a rock petrophysical study
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Earth and Environment
Abstract
Lithium is a key metal in the energy transition because it is needed in high-voltage batteries. Over 80% of global lithium production currently comes from Chile, Australia and China. Increasing the variety of lithium sources is beneficial for the security of supply, and developing domestic resources is an important part of this. Granites within the Cornubian Batholith in (SW England) have potentially economic lithium concentrations hosted by micas. The region is also cut by permeable fault zones that host lithium rich geothermal waters derived by water-rock interaction. These geothermal prospects, particularly at United Downs, are being developed by Cornish Lithium. The geothermal waters have been
accessed via boreholes drilled from the surface into permeable faults at depth, and the lithium compounds selectively extracted using environmentally responsible Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies. Access to the geothermal energy provides an opportunity to produce zero-carbon lithium.
The development of this and other potential geothermal lithium resources necessitates use of geophysical methods to assess the extent of faulting at United Downs and nearby. Choosing the most effective and accurate geophysical approaches, and robust interpretation of the data, require a detailed understanding of the petrophysical properties of the associated rocks, i.e., the fault rocks, the hydrothermally altered host rocks and the surrounding unaltered rock volumes. This understanding is currently lacking, which hampers exploration and prospect development.
This PhD will develop an understanding of the variability of the rock petrophysical properties in the area; and how the variations in the properties map onto the potential of various geophysical methods to enhance exploration. The petrophysical properties to be assessed include e.g., mineralogy and textures, geomechanical and electrical properties, magnetic susceptibility, streaming potential, and density. These properties can be assessed against various ground-based, down-hole and airborne geophysical methods such as magnetics and magneto-tellurics, gravity, self-potential
and induced potential; the most promising ones can then be tested in the field.
accessed via boreholes drilled from the surface into permeable faults at depth, and the lithium compounds selectively extracted using environmentally responsible Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies. Access to the geothermal energy provides an opportunity to produce zero-carbon lithium.
The development of this and other potential geothermal lithium resources necessitates use of geophysical methods to assess the extent of faulting at United Downs and nearby. Choosing the most effective and accurate geophysical approaches, and robust interpretation of the data, require a detailed understanding of the petrophysical properties of the associated rocks, i.e., the fault rocks, the hydrothermally altered host rocks and the surrounding unaltered rock volumes. This understanding is currently lacking, which hampers exploration and prospect development.
This PhD will develop an understanding of the variability of the rock petrophysical properties in the area; and how the variations in the properties map onto the potential of various geophysical methods to enhance exploration. The petrophysical properties to be assessed include e.g., mineralogy and textures, geomechanical and electrical properties, magnetic susceptibility, streaming potential, and density. These properties can be assessed against various ground-based, down-hole and airborne geophysical methods such as magnetics and magneto-tellurics, gravity, self-potential
and induced potential; the most promising ones can then be tested in the field.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Joseph Brabin (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/Y005457/1 | 30/09/2024 | 29/09/2030 | |||
| 2927464 | Studentship | NE/Y005457/1 | 30/09/2024 | 30/03/2028 | Joseph Brabin |