Britain faces mounting pressure to establish new mines and enhance its stockpiling capabilities to secure critical minerals supply, according to the nation’s minerals supply watchdog chief. The stark warning comes amid growing concerns about the country’s vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.
Gavin Mudd, director of the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC), suggests the implementation of legislation mirroring the US Inflation Reduction Act, which provides subsidies for domestic mineral production. The proposition includes building strategic stockpiles of essential materials, following the American Department of Defence model.
The urgency stems from increasing global demand for previously overlooked materials crucial to decarbonisation efforts. A recent CMIC report, commissioned by the Department for Business and Trade, identified 34 critical minerals, with niobium topping the list. The metal, vital for steel production, currently sees over 90% of its global supply concentrated in Brazil.
British industry faces particular challenges with materials like Fluorspar, which ceased domestic production in 2023 when the last Derbyshire mine closed. The UK now relies entirely on imports for this essential component used in nuclear energy and metalworking processes.
Plans are underway to expand domestic production capabilities, with particular focus on lithium mining in Cornwall and potential nickel deposits in Scotland. These initiatives aim to reduce dependency on foreign supplies and strengthen the nation’s industrial security.
The CMIC emphasises the severe implications of supply interruptions, particularly for the automotive sector. As the government deliberates on policy strategy development, the centre’s analysis underscores the critical nature of securing stable access to these essential materials for British manufacturing and industrial growth.
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