Lepidico Ltd (ASX:LPD) has gained affirmation for its lithium processing technology, with this being one of the key factors behind the recent UK government endorsement of a lithium project in Cornwall.

Cornish Lithium Plc’s Trelavour Hard Rock Project – which will use Lepidico’s proprietary hydrometallic lithium processing technologies – has been awarded the status of ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ by the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government.

Trelavour was considered to be of such significance due to its likely economic impact and influence on the region, as well as the acknowledgement that lithium is a mineral of strategic importance to industry.

Lepidico’s hydro-metallurgical process employs low cost, conventional reagents along with industry standard equipment, and is low in energy consumption.

Managing director Joe Walsh said the UK government decision reflected well on the progress of Lepidico in terms of its technological development.

“The directive from the UK Government’s Secretary of State that the Trelavour lithium mica project should be treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project represents a significant endorsement of Lepidico’s proprietary patented process technologies,” he said.

“A £9 million (A$17.7 million) demonstration plant to process Trelavour lithium mica mineralisation is currently in the advanced stages of construction, with chemicalconversion via L-Max® and LOH-Max® to produce a nominal battery grade lithium hydroxide.

“We congratulate Cornish Lithium on this significant achievement.”

Lepidico has been trading at 0.2 cents.