- Department for Business and Trade launches new
independent Critical Minerals Taskforce
- Taskforce will guarantee supply of critical minerals as
production of all kinds is expected to rise sharply – some
as much as 500% by 2050
- Government work will ensure UK has strong foothold in this
growing market by supporting key investments in related
industries
Today (Thursday 20 April) the independent Task & Finish Group
on Industry Resilience for Critical Minerals had its inaugural
meeting. The group brings together independent experts to advise
the government on where dependencies exist in the UK’s critical
mineral supply chains, and how industry can protect its supply.
Certain minerals are essential for the technologies we depend on
for jobs, economic growth, and everyday life, from mobile phones
to wind turbines. Minerals like graphite, lithium and silicon are
vital to the economy as they are irreplaceable components in
products ranging from laptops to aircraft. “Critical” minerals
are defined as those that are important and have high levels of
supply risk.
Attending the meeting today, Business and Trade Minister
said:
“We rely on critical minerals far more than people realise.
They’re essential to much of what keeps society going, from
medical equipment saving lives in hospitals to wind turbines
keeping our economy powered up.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, it’s clear we must do more
to safeguard our supply chains – because as the name suggests,
these minerals really are critical to our future. This group of
experts will help us build resilient supply chains that will make
a strong foundation for the new, green industries we’re backing
to deliver jobs and growth for decades to come.”
The Task & Finish Group was commissioned by Minister Ghani
and announced in the recent Critical Minerals
Refresh publication. Members of the independent group have
been drawn from key industry sectors that depend on critical
minerals, as well as experts with insights into the supply
vulnerabilities of UK industry. The group will deliver an
independent report to government later this year.
Katherine Bennett CBE, Chair of the Critical Minerals
Task & Finish Group and CEO High Value Manufacturing Catapult
said:
“Ground-breaking innovations need a reliable supply of raw
materials to have real-world impact.
“We need to be able to trust in our critical mineral supplies.
Whether it’s more efficient batteries for electric vehicles or
next-generation communications systems, the cutting-edge
technologies of today and the innovations of tomorrow are only
possible we have secure supply chains.
“Collaboration is key, and I look forward to working with our
panel of cross-industry experts to help put the UK in the best
position to grow and thrive.”
In July 2022, HMG published the UK’s
Critical Minerals Strategy to promote resilience in critical
mineral supply chains, safeguarding UK industry, supporting the
clean energy transition and protecting national security and
defence capability.
To deliver these ambitions, collaboration between government,
industry, academia and other stakeholders is vital. The Task
& Finish Group will harness the wealth of expertise across UK
industry – those that depend on a secure supply of critical
minerals – to identify supply chain vulnerabilities and promote
resilience and diversity, strengthening the competitiveness of
the UK and helping grow the economy.
Membership list:
-
, Critical Minerals
Association
- Stephen Hall, Minor Metals Trade Association
- Helen Kennett, Rolls Royce
- Kevin Craven, ADS
- Gabby Costigan, BAE Systems
- Nathan Earland, Jaguar Land Rover
- Mike Hawes, SMMT
-
Hetherington, Advanced
Propulsion Centre
- Andy Walker, Johnson Matthey
- Thomas Birk, BASF
- Steve Elliott, Chemical Industry Association
- Dr Cristina Garcia-Duffy,Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
- Ben Hirst, ITM Power
- James Robottom, RenewableUK
- Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK
-
, Nuclear Industry
Association
- Peter Ellingworth, ABHI
- Gerry Thurgood, National Microelectronics Institute
- Matthew Evans, Tech UK
- Andrew Willman, BEAMA
- Mark Richards, Rio Tinto
-
, Anglo American
- Guy Platten, International Chamber of Shipping
- Simon Moores, Benchmark
- Paul Lusty, Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre
- Allan Walton, Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements
and Critical Minerals
-
, IOM3
-
, Advisor in energy and
security
-
, APPG for Critical
Minerals
