UK Government assesses capability for critical minerals supply
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) examines capabilities in midstream processing, recycling and recovery.
Germainium was one of the minerals added to the UK 'critical' list by the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre
The report from Frazer-Nash Consultancy was produced with the Critical Minerals Association and the Materials Processing Institute.
It states that critical minerals supply chain faces unprecedented challenges as a result of increasing demand for critical-mineral-rich technologies, such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles – which is largely driven by the government’s commitment to transition towards a net-zero economy.
Because of the UK's heavy dependence on imported materials, the report calls fo the government to secure supply chains and deliver economic security.
- High-energy costs
- An extension of existing energy-intensive industries scheme to cover critical minerals.
- Or alternatively, a new energy bill relief scheme tailored to critical minerals.
- Difficulties in accessing finance
- Matched grant funding to support and de-risk investment in research and innovation that develops midstream and recycling capability.
- Difficulties accessing waste streams
- Amendments to waste classifications.
- Publish a critical minerals procurement plan.
- Negative public perceptions
- Targeted school and university outreach
- Facilitate positive promotion of midstream processing industry.
- Cross-cutting actions
- Centralised support for planning and permitting.
- Centralised support to collaborate with regional clusters.
- Collaborate with international partners to transfer knowledge.
