On 22 July, the UK government published its first Critical Minerals Strategy to secure CRM supply chains, by boosting domestic capability in a way that generates new jobs and wealth, attracting investment and playing a leading role in solving global challenges with international partners.
The strategy aims to (1) accelerate growth of the UK’s domestic capabilities, (2) collaborate with international partners and (3) enhance international markets to make them more responsive, transparent and responsible.
The UK carried out its first criticality assessment and, according to economic vulnerability and supply risk, defined a cohort of minerals (18 minerals compared to 30 identified by the EU):
Antimony
Bismuth
Cobalt
Gallium
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Indium
Lithium
Magnesium
Niobium
Palladium
Platinum
Rare Earth Elements
Silicon
Tantalum
Tellurium
Tin
Tungsten
Vanadium
The UK also identified the following materials to "watch", as they might quickly become critical: Iridium, Manganese, Nickel, Phosphates and Ruthenium.
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