A shortage of mining and mineral processing engineers could threaten a possible revival of Cornwall鈥檚 mining industry, according to a new report.
A study by the 海角视频 Mining Education Forum (海角视频MEF) - 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 海角视频 is home to mining companies worth over 拢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 海角视频鈥檚 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 拢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 拢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.
海角视频MEF chairman Steve Bedford, said if successful the South Crofty project could generate approximately 275 direct jobs at the mine site, as well as 鈥渟everal hundred鈥 jobs within its supply network.
Mr Bedford said: 鈥淥ngoing 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.鈥
However, the 海角视频MEF report warned figures from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining showed a 鈥渟ignificant and growing shortage鈥 of the trained graduates needed to capitalise on the potential growth.
The group said the Cornish mining industry鈥檚 鈥渦rgent need鈥 for geologists, engineers and mineral processors justified the continued delivery of courses at Exeter University鈥檚 Camborne School of Mines (CSM).
The founder and chief executive of Cornish Lithium, Jeremy Wrathall, called at the school - due to a lack of demand - 鈥渄eeply regrettable鈥.
The report said Mr Wrathall had welcomed the university's recent decision to work with the Mining Association of the 海角视频, to offer mining engineering degree apprenticeships.
Richard Williams, chief executive of Cornish Metals, added CSM had 鈥渁 very important role to play鈥 in training the next generation of mining professionals.
Mr Williams described the county鈥檚 mining prospects as 鈥渁n 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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