The environmental impacts depend on the extraction methods used. Cornish Lithium are planning to directly extract the lithium from the fluids in a processing unit that will have a footprint the size of a supermarket or medium sized industrial unit. Direct extraction of lithium from geothermal fluids using cutting-edge technology is the most environmentally responsible method available, and Cornish Lithium will strive to ensure that the impacts of the project are kept to a minimum.   At the United Downs Deep Geothermal Project (UDDGP) which is being developed by Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), flow tests have been carried out on the deep geothermal reservoir. Such work is vital in understanding the characteristics of the geothermal system and, as expected, the process generated a number of micro-seismic events in the reservoir at a depth of approximately 5km beneath the surface. All of the events were managed/ controlled by GEL and were within the regulatory limits that govern these types of projects. Press coverage at the time highlighted the importance of geothermal energy to the UK given that experts believe there is enough untapped energy in the granite below Cornwall alone to provide 10 per cent of Britain’s electricity, all of which would be renewable and zero-carbon. For further information, visit GEL’s website, scroll down and click on the Underground (Seismicity) section.