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The brine operations in Cornwall aren't targeting big bubbles (aquifers), but the feeder veins through which the fluid flows.
The principal selection criteria for the geothermal sites is finding an area of highly fractured rock. The depths being drilled takes them into highly competent granite which would be very difficult to get any flow.
As a result they are Targeting natural dault zones (typically cross courses) where tge faulting has turned the rock essentially into gravel an sand, making it highly porous.
Yes arsenic is a major contaminant, with arsenpyrite normally associated with the tin ore. This has to be removed from the concentrate. There are elevated levels all over Cornwall, with some ground containing up to 500,000ppm (no that's not a mistake on the zeros)
It's pretty close to the second drill site
The geothermal holes are Targeting crosscourses where the water runs fairly freely - it is possible for it to have a positive head, although I don't think tgat has been the case at United downs - the past mine workings in effect put in pressure relief valves.
It's a wise way to go to Extract the China clay. As I understand it, the Lithium is contained in the mica. The first process that the China clay ore (not really the right term) goes through is the removal of the mica, which accounts for about 30 - 40% of the mass mined, so straight away you're massively reducing the processing cost.
Trelavour produces a specialist clay so it's currently mined on an on/off basis as a satellite of Melbur pit.
You need to think hydrostatically If you imagine a glass of water, the glass is 30cm tall, and the water is 2cm from the top - this the water in the Cross course.
Now put a straw in the glass of water - this us your borehole. Where is the water level in the straw? 2cm from the top of the glass.
Now how much pressure do you need to get the water from the bottom of the straw to the top of the straw? The answer is 2cm of head.
As you go up the road to the carn it's just on the right hand side
Showing your age there! Unfortunately it shut down before I was 18
They are currently drilling a known unworkedoffshoot of the great flat lode.
But I'm still none the wiser on the process, it's a bit like doc emmet brown saying "the plan is to put a nuclear reactor on the back of a delorean, which will run a flux capacitor, set a dial in the car, get it up to 88mph and poof, you'll be transported to a different point in time" It's a great theory and works well on screen, but does it work?
I try not to get too involved in the Lithium side of things, quite simply I don't understand it.
In terms if mining costs of the material I have a fair idea, but processing and waste disposal costs I don't have a clue. One thing I do know though, is if there is anywhere in the world that knows about bulk mining and processing, its the st Austell area.
On the Lithium brine again I have absolutely no idea, other than to get 1 tonne of Lithium a lot of water is going to have to be processed.
I'm keeping an open mind on the Lithium and am intrigued to see how it develops - I think CUSN offers a lower risk lower reward way of investing in what is currently an experimental industry in Cornwall.
The big difference is while people have different views, it hasn't degraded into a bunch of blokes waving their genitalia about like here.
At around 7 minutes 30, its clear that the plan is now crofty first with united downs as an add on.
Watch the link I posted SW, it confirms they gave carried out initial test work.
That is the reason why noone has systematically explored Cornwall, the stuff has been too easy to find. https://youtu.be/UC5k_CLbxpM
The first time I saw the rig was about 3 weeks ago, but tgat was only because I went around looking. If they've been drilling that long, they will have at least two full holes drilled.
They've been drilling there now for around 3 weeks, so if there's something they will have a good idea by now.
Just to be clear, when I say opening wheal maid, I mean for further drilling and exploration.
As I said earlier, at the moment the evidence on Carnkie is anecdotal, although it is reported that South Crofty undertook some drilling there in the 60s, shich if thats the case, they will be being guided by any data that exists.
The hill keeps going up to the South for about another 1500m at four lanes so it's a non starter.
South West Aggregates gave been on the Crofty site for around 40 years, they started taking the DMS reject, a readmix plant was also on site.
On Wheal Maid, I think it is now highly likely that the decline will be reopened, probably in the next 12 months. The end of tge decline is around 10 metres from the structure currently being drilled