At GEL, we are continuing to invest in the people and skills needed to support the growth of the UK’s critical minerals sector. As work progresses at our Lithium Demonstration Plant, we are delighted to welcome Eli Chalwin to the team as our newest Laboratory Technician.
A recent chemistry graduate from Cornwall with a passion for environmental chemistry, Eli will play an important role in supporting the continued development and optimisation of our lithium extraction process. His appointment reflects GEL’s ongoing commitment to creating high-skilled employment opportunities in Cornwall while nurturing the local talent needed to support the energy transition and the UK’s supply of critical minerals.
Eli joins a growing team of scientists and technicians who bring a diverse range of academic backgrounds and expertise to the challenge of developing innovative lithium extraction technologies.
Tom Lees, Process Technician, has a background in physics, while Charlotte Wilkins, Lithium & Process Manager, also has a physics background prior to leading the development of our lithium programme. Nicole East, Process Scientist, brings experience from a forensic science background, and now Eli joins the team with specialist knowledge from his chemistry studies.
This mix of disciplines is one of the team’s greatest strengths. Developing new technologies requires creative thinking and effective problem solving, and having team members trained in different scientific fields means challenges can be approached from multiple perspectives. By combining expertise in chemistry, physics and forensic science, the team can draw on a broad range of analytical skills and methodologies to drive innovation and improve processes.
As GEL continues to advance its lithium extraction technology, investing in people remains as important as investing in infrastructure. Building a successful critical minerals industry in the UK requires not only technological innovation but also a highly skilled workforce capable of developing, operating and scaling these emerging industries.
For GEL, that means creating opportunities for local people to build rewarding careers in Cornwall. By recruiting graduates and developing talent within the county, GEL is helping to establish the skill base required to support the future growth of both the geothermal energy and critical minerals sectors.
We look forward to supporting Eli as he develops his career with GEL and to continuing to grow a talented, multidisciplinary team that is helping to build a secure and sustainable supply of critical minerals for the UK.
