The UK’s first-ever centre dedicated to collecting and analysing information on the supply of critical minerals has launched this month.
Announcing the launch of the centre on Monday (July 4), industry minister Lee Rowley said that it would prove critical to the economic success of the UK and national security.
Rowley said: “Critical minerals are so important to every aspect of our daily lives, whether it’s the phones we use, the cars we drive, or the batteries in our laptops.
“As the world shifts towards new green technologies, supply chains will become more competitive. That’s why we’re harnessing the British Geological Survey’s vast experience in geoscience, to ensure better access to these crucial resources, and support the delivery of our forthcoming Critical Minerals Strategy.”
The new Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre [CMIC] is based in the East Midlands city of Nottingham and will provide policymakers with the latest data and analysis on supply, demand and market dynamics of critical minerals. This data will then be used to better develop policies aimed at making the UK’s critical mineral supply chains more resilient and robust. The centre and its work will be handled by The British Geological Survey [BGS].
Critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium and graphite are essential for manufacturing green products and are used in mobile phones, electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets.
The production of some critical minerals, the government says, is expected to increase nearly five-fold by 2051, so the UK must take steps now to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain.
BGS director, Dr Karen Hanghøj, said: “We are extremely pleased to host the new UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre. The British Geological Survey has a strong reputation for its work on mineral and metal supply, and is internationally-known for its expertise on critical raw materials.
“Through the new Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre, we are looking forward to building on this track record to provide UK industry and policy makers with high quality information and advice.”
The BGS will combine its own resources, expertise, and data with those of third parties to provide up-to-date analysis on the supply, demand, and flow of critical mineral supplies around the world. It will also provide policymakers with advice on emerging issues, including geopolitical, ethical or environmental risks associated with sourcing critical minerals.
The CMIC has already reached a first milestone, having published a study into future UK demand for and supply of critical minerals needed to manufacture electric vehicle batteries.
The government has also confirmed that it will publish a UK Critical Minerals Strategy later in the year, setting out its approach to making the country’s critical mineral supply chains more resilient.
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
