Weardale Lithium

Industry specialists from across the UK descended on the North East to take part in a major conference highlighting the innovative developments in renewable energy challenges and opportunities of utilising critical minerals to support the energy transition.

The North East Future Resources Conference, which took place at the Commons Rooms in Newcastle, showcased the depth of research, investment and practical application of solutions to support key areas of a low carbon economy such as increased vehicle electrification.

Speakers and panellists included relevant industry entrepreneurs, representatives from central and local government, academia, scientific bodies and the investment fund management industry.

Delegates, the majority of which were from outside the North East, heard how the region is playing a key role in renewable energy generation, including a presentation from the team behind the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, and the drive to create a comprehensive local supply chain to recover critical minerals for the production of EV batteries and other components.

Among the speakers and panellists were Lord Peter Lilley, a member of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, Henry Sanderson, author of Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green and Jason Boddy who spoke about unlocking the potential for deep geothermal energy in the North.

Panel sessions featured representatives from the Advanced Propulsion Centre, Gneiss Energy, Green Lithium, the North East Battery Alliance, the Critical Minerals Association, Watercycle Technologies and the Geological Society.

The conference was organised by Weardale Lithium, which is a natural resources company based in County Durham seeking to sustainably extract lithium from geothermal brines to produce lithium carbonate for use in EV batteries.

The event is being sponsored by Ward Hadaway, ARUP, IC Planning, SLB, Carter Jonas and Minviro.

Stewart Dickson, CEO of Weardale Lithium, said: “This conference brought together a variety of thought leaders, entrepreneurs and operators who are influencing the energy transition. It was a great opportunity to discuss things happening in the here and now, such as in offshore wind and hydrogen, but also future technologies that under development that will have a massive role to play in our ambition to deliver a low carbon economy.

“It also provided the opportunity to showcase the companies from the North that are helping to build out a robust and innovative supply chain as well as the investment opportunities that are available in the region in projects and businesses that are at the cutting edge of our industry.”

ENDS

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For further information contact Jamie Collis 01325 363436

About Weardale Lithium

Weardale Lithium Limited is an innovative natural resources company seeking to provide a secure and sustainable, domestic supply of lithium with associated geothermal energy from underground brines in County Durham, UK.

There is no lithium production in the UK and Europe despite a significant market opportunity and rising demand. Working with key strategic partners to develop a regional and national battery-metal supply chain, Weardale Lithium will support the "net-zero" ambitions of the UK.

For more information, please visit: www.weardalelithium.co or follow us @Weardalelithium on X (Twitter) and Weardale Lithium on LinkedIn.