A shortage of mining and mineral processing engineers could threaten a possible revival of Cornwall’s mining industry, according to a new report.
A study by the UK Mining Education Forum (UKMEF) - a group of leading figures in the mining industry and academia - has estimated at least 48 newly qualified graduates are required per year to sustain the sector nationwide.
The UK is home to mining companies worth over £500bn with extensive international operations, with London a global centre for mining finance.
There are also several thousand companies supporting the mining supply chain, including equipment manufacturers, market researchers and technical consultancies.
Cornwall has a long history of mining dating back to the Bronze Age, up until 1998, when South Crofty, the UK’s last tin mine, closed.
In recent years there has been a reemergence of activity in the Duchy, with a number of projects launched to investigate the feasibility of commercial extraction of metals such as lithium - seen as a vital component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles.
Mining firm Cornish Lithium announced the completion earlier this year of a £4m pilot plant which will attempt to demonstrate the viability of extracting lithium from superheated underground water on an industrial scale.
Another company Cornish Metals is also looking to raise £40m to revive tin mining at the South Crofty mine in Pool near Redruth, with the firm now undertaking a minimum 8,000 metre drill programme to collect samples.
UKMEF chairman Steve Bedford, said if successful the South Crofty project could generate approximately 275 direct jobs at the mine site, as well as “several hundred” jobs within its supply network.
Mr Bedford said: “Ongoing problems in global supply chains and the recognition of the need for domestic sources of metals important to the energy transition, have seen signs of a re-emerging mining sector in Cornwall and the recognition of the potential to find new mineral deposits.”
However, the UKMEF report warned figures from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining showed a “significant and growing shortage” of the trained graduates needed to capitalise on the potential growth.
The group said the Cornish mining industry’s “urgent need” for geologists, engineers and mineral processors justified the continued delivery of courses at Exeter University’s Camborne School of Mines (CSM).
The founder and chief executive of Cornish Lithium, Jeremy Wrathall, called Exeter University’s decision in 2020 to pause degree courses at the school - due to a lack of demand - “deeply regrettable”.
The report said Mr Wrathall had welcomed the university's recent decision to work with the Mining Association of the UK, to offer mining engineering degree apprenticeships.
Richard Williams, chief executive of Cornish Metals, added CSM had “a very important role to play” in training the next generation of mining professionals.
Mr Williams described the county’s mining prospects as “an incredible opportunity to diversify the economy and generate highly skilled, well-paid employment that will have a meaningful positive impact on the local and regional economy".
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