Scientists from the UK Critical Mineral Intelligence Centre (CMIC) provided a live webinar, showcasing major research outputs from the last year:

• copper waste and scrap flows for the UK
• future of digital
• the methodological progress on criticality assessments

The presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session with the panel.
A recording of the event is now available below.

As acknowledged in Vision 2035: The UK Critical Minerals Strategy, critical minerals underpin the UK economy, technology, energy transition, industrial resilience and national security. As global markets and geopolitics become more volatile and supply chains more complex, the UK must continually refine how it identifies and manages supply risks for its material needs.

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. The UK disposes of more than 100 000 tonnes of electrical goods every year and has over 800 million unused, unwanted and discarded electricals stashed away in homes. These electricals contain technology metals, such as lithium and the ‘rare earth elements’ (REEs), and precious metals, including gold, that are currently thrown away but, according to Material Focus research, are estimated to be worth a staggering £1 billion.

Significant carbon savings can be achieved by recycling electric motors and batteries from small appliances and other waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recovery of REEs and other technology metals plays a key role in improving the security of supply and significantly reducing the environmental effects of primary production.

Currently, there is limited data on where these metals are disposed of and recycled; however, over the next year, BGS ‘Mapping technology metals in electricals’ project will generate new data that will reveal the amount of potentially recoverable technology metals in WEEE products, including everyday items such as cordless vacuum cleaners, e-bikes and e-scooters. The analysis will focus on two key components found in these electronic devices: the battery and the motor.

The project will undertake detailed modelling to quantify the amount of technology metals commonly found in electrical items, therefore highlighting the potential for recovering them. For example, neodymium, a REE found in the magnets used in motors, and lithium, which is used in batteries, are both found in everyday electrical items such as e-scooters and vacuum cleaners. Data produced from this project can be used to inform business models and support investment decisions for expanding UK capabilities to recover the value of technology metals in WEEE products.

Although there is some brilliant innovation already happening, many new products still aren’t designed to be easily re-used, recycled or repaired, and we lack the systems to recover all the valuable materials inside them.

We are delighted to be announcing the first of the recipients of our new £1million Circular Electricals Fund, which will help drive innovation and support the development of a more circular electricals system in the UK. These ambitious projects aim to reduce the environmental impact of electricals by improving product design and resource efficiency, and encouraging collaboration.

Scott Butler, executive director, Material Focus.

We are delighted to have been awarded Material Focus funding to investigate the use of technology metals in everyday electrical items across their whole life, from first manufacture, through use and final disposal. We hope the outputs from this work will lead to the development of new circular business models and create commercial opportunities for recovering these valuable metals from end-of-life electrical items.

Richard Shaw, senior mineral commodity geologist, BGS.

Once complete, the report will be publicly available through the and the .

51ÁÔÆæ director of international geoscience, Maggy Heintz, and its director of national geoscience, Jonathan Ford, visited Santiago in Chile on 30 January to take part in a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Mining led by the Minister, Aurora Williams, and the British Ambassador, Louise de Sousa. The visit also tied in with the launch of Chile critical minerals strategy.

Scientists from both countries will work together to produce reliable geological information essential for the sustainable management of critical mineral deposits in Chile. They will exchange cutting-edge technology and advanced methodologies to further understand and promote sustainable practices around natural resources and how such work can contribute to the responsible development of Chile critical minerals sector.

Following on from the signing, the BGS team travelled to Calama and San Pedro de Atacama to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BGS and the National Institute of Lithium and Salars. This MoU will strengthen collaboration and increase hydrogeological understanding of sustainable brine management.

It is an honour to be formalising such an important strategic partnership between the UK and Chile. BGS looks forward to new, science-led collaboration between our two countries, as we explore our shared interest in sustainable mining practices and natural hazard mitigation.

Maggy Heintz, director of BGS International Geoscience

51ÁÔÆæ is to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in partnership with the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine, after a meeting between BGS Director Karen Hanghøj and Yehor Perelyhin, Ukraine Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture. The document will establish a framework through which geological projects can be pursed.

Karen Hanghøj welcomed the agreement and the opportunities it brings with it.

51ÁÔÆæ is built upon a history of strong collaborations that centralise the vital role of the subsurface in shaping resilient economies, sustainable environments and thriving societies.

I am excited by the potential to deliver innovative solutions and make a meaningful, positive impact on some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today, which will be unlocked through joint research and data exchange opportunities with Ukraine.

Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director.

The talks with BGS took place as part of a visit to London that saw the Ukrainian delegation meet with the UK Government to explore the development of the critical minerals sector. Also on the agenda for the meeting was the creation of targeted training and professional development programmes for Ukrainian geologists and specialists, as investment in skills and scientific expertise are essential for the growth of strategic sectors.

Work will now focus on finalising the MoU, which will involve identifying priority projects related to the critical minerals sector and preparing the joint training programmes for Ukrainian geologists and specialists.

Today (23 November 2025), the UK Government published its for the UK. The strategy recognises the UK need to further develop links with international partners, increase domestic production where feasible and invest in the circular economy. This strategy provides a tangible blueprint for these ambitions – now accurate, real-time minerals data will be essential in supporting the Government in its objectives.

The UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC), hosted by the 51ÁÔÆæ (BGS), launched in 2022 with support from the Department of Business and Trade. CMIC informs UK decision makers to enable the securing of adequate, timely and sustainable supplies of critical minerals. This will ensure that the UK can transition its economy in the coming decades to meet challenges such as achieving net zero emissions and realising the Government industrial strategy and economic growth agenda.

The geopolitical picture in 2025 demonstrates a complex, unpredictable and interconnected world. Establishing secure supply chains of critical and growth minerals to achieve the UK economic aspirations has never been more important. The country ambitions in relation to the energy transition, economic growth, security and digital agendas, are directly connected to reliable access to these resources.

Dr Gavin Mudd of BGS and director of the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC)

Almost all critical minerals are currently imported, meaning it is important to understand the complex global supply chains that deliver them. CMIC’s mission is to analyse those supply chains and provide impartial and objective advice that helps the UK secure sustainable supplies of critical minerals for its various industries. In 2024, CMIC UK Criticality Assessment revealed the vulnerability of the UK economy to supply disruption for specific minerals. The analysis was designed to support policymakers in building economic resilience and securing the minerals that are important to the country growth aspirations and national security. CMIC has played a crucial role in informing this new Government strategy.

The University of Aberdeen has appointed Dr Kathryn Goodenough, BGS Head of International — Regional Geoscience, as an honorary professor. The new position will focus on critical minerals and the wider energy transition, building on her existing teaching role as part of the undergraduate course, ‘UN Sustainable Development Goals and geoscience’. 

Kathryn research focuses primarily on the critical minerals that are needed for the energy transition, such as lithium and the rare earth elements (REEs). She has led major NERC- and EU-funded research projects for BGS, including the Lithium for Future Technology (LiFT) project and the EURARE and HiTech AlkCarb projects investigating REE deposits. Kathryn currently leads BGS programme of externally commissioned international research and capacity building, delivering global collaboration across BGS science remit.

The appointment has the potential to help foster further links between BGS and the University of Aberdeen, which has several areas of complementary research, including its and the BGS-led .

I’m delighted to have been appointed as honorary professor at the University of Aberdeen and am incredibly grateful to colleagues at the university who have supported me. Aberdeen holds a special place in my heart as the first place I lived in Scotland, but it is also on the front line of the energy transition, with a hugely important role to play as we move from fossil fuels to renewable energy and a world where minerals are ever more important.

Dr Kathryn Goodenough, BGS Head of International — Regional Geoscience.

Kathryn expertise in critical minerals and the role that they and the rare earth elements will play in providing clean energy is a key area of focus in the school and our Centre for Energy Transition, with a recently appointed University Interdisciplinary Fellow working in this area.

Kathryn is a welcome addition to our team at a time when the geosciences are playing a major role in renewable energy and the related geopolitical conversation.

In her role with the 51ÁÔÆæ, Kathryn has already worked with a number of our researchers in recent years and we are really looking forward to expanding this further in her new honorary role with us.

Prof Dave Muirhead, head of the School of Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen.

Kathryn is chief editor of the Earth Science, Systems and Society journal, published by the Geological Society. In February, she was awarded their prestigious Coke Medal, given to geoscientists in recognition of their contribution to science and for activities that result in benefits to the community.  

In 2020, Kathryn was named one of the top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining by Women in Mining UK. 

A new guide to Zambia critical minerals highlighting the country current and potential critical mineral resources, including cobalt and lithium, was launched this week in Lusaka. ‘’, now available to read online, came about through a collaborative effort between the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development and the 51ÁÔÆæ (BGS). Funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office and BGS International Geoscience Research and Development programme, the guide provides a strong example of how the UK/Zambia partnership is underpinned by an institutional exchange of expertise that supports both nations’ priorities.

Critical minerals are essential to the global energy transition. Diversifying their associated supply chains is central to improving their resilience to global economic fluctuations. Over the past few years, Zambia has boosted its critical mineral economy through increased production of manganese and nickel. In 2024, the Zambian government announced a national strategy to more than triple its copper production to 3 million metric tonnes annually by 2031. The country is also set to open Africa first cobalt sulfate refinery by the end of 2025, a major milestone in diversifying the global supply chain and a move that could be a crucial moment in both Zambia and Africa mineral valorisation efforts. The facility will be one of the few outside China capable of producing cobalt sulfate, which is a key component in the lithium-ion batteries that power smartphones, computers and electric vehicles.

Zambia has a 100-year history of providing the copper that has helped to electrify the world. The ‘Critical minerals potential of Zambia’ guide, co-produced by the Zambian Geological Survey Department and BGS, will help to kick start the next chapter in the economic development of the Zambian economy. The lithium, graphite, cobalt and other critical mineral resources of Zambia are sorely needed to decarbonise global power generation and storage.

As a geologist, I have worked on Zambian mineral resources for over 35 years and am proud to continue playing a small part in supporting Zambia to develop as an emerging economy that will bring prosperity and improved life chances for all Zambians.

Clive Mitchell, BGS Project Leader, critical minerals resources — Zambia.

As the world transitions to a low-carbon future, Zambia stands ready to play a vital role by responsibly developing our critical mineral resources. Containing up-to-date insights into the geology, production and exploration of eleven minerals deemed essential to Zambia future prosperity and the world clean energy ambitions, this publication provides valuable information for investors, policymakers and researchers alike.

Gerald Mwila, director of the Geological Survey Department, Zambia.

The ‘Critical mineral potential of Zambia’ guide will support Zambia transition to one of Africa most significant critical mineral producers. It presents for the first time the geological occurrences, exploration efforts and mineral production statistics for critical minerals in Zambia, both current and into the future.

The guide focuses on eleven minerals identified as ‘critical’ by the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development critical minerals strategy:

• cobalt
• columbite-tantalite
• copper
• graphite
• lithium
• manganese
• nickel
• rare earth elements
• sugilite
• tin
• uranium

Driven by the electric vehicle and portable battery sectors, global demand for graphite and lithium may increase by as much as 130 and 350 times by 2040, respectively. Zambia possesses some of the world highest-grade deposits for copper and is the seventh largest copper-producing country in the world. The country also produces nickel, the global demand for which is set to increase by almost 70 per cent between 2024 and 2040. Cobalt is considered a critical mineral by the UK and USA, and as a ‘strategic’ mineral by the EU.

The guide was launched on 16 July by Calvin Bailey MBE MP, the UK trade envoy for southern Africa, alongside British High Commissioner to Zambia Rebecca Terzeon at the Invest-Zambia International Conference 2025.

I was delighted to announce the 51ÁÔÆæ’s new guide to critical minerals in Zambia. This will support Zambia National Critical Minerals Strategy and will help attract responsible investment in the minerals sector, supporting economic growth and the global green energy transition.

Calvin Bailey MBE MP, UK trade envoy for southern Africa.

The work of the 51ÁÔÆæ together with Zambia is an excellent example of the collaboration under the UK/Zambia partnership, which brings economic and environmental benefits to both countries. This is one of many examples of our two countries working together to achieve our shared priorities for economic growth and green energy transition.

Rebecca Terzeon, British High Commissioner to Zambia.

The guide highlights the geology, exploration, occurrences and mineral production of the eleven critical minerals. Knowledge of critical minerals is not just important for geologists and mineral exploration companies; it also educates decision makers and regulators in government and the wider public when they encounter mineral developments in their communities.

Since joining BGS in 2022, my time spent working alongside the Zambian Geological Survey Department has been a highlight. We have collaborated in Eastern Province, focusing on graphite reconnaissance fieldwork, and in Lusaka, working on the critical minerals guide. Zambia is home to such friendly, welcoming and environmentally conscious people and we hope this guide attracts interest from Zambian and international investors alike.

Dr David Currie, BGS Minerals Scientist.

This guide is part of a mineral ecosystem that aims to diversify the Zambian mineral production portfolio and bolster the resilience of the Zambian economy. Mineral promotion, such as this guide, reveals information on mineral resources that exploration companies may not have come across and potentially leads to investment in Zambia that could ultimately result in development of mines and mineral production.

For more information, please contact 51ÁÔÆæ press (bgspress@bgs.ac.uk) or call 07790 607 010.

Critical minerals are an increasingly essential part of modern society and a fundamental requirement of many technologies, including electronics, renewables and defence systems. As a result, global demand for technology-critical mineral resources is expected to quadruple by 2040.

In 2023, the UK and Canada unveiled a landmark agreement to cooperate on critical minerals. As part of this collaboration, UK Research and Innovation (51ÁÔÆæ) recently announced that five research partnerships will receive a share of the £1 million International Science Partnerships Fund. Collectively, these partnerships aim to reduce mining environmental footprint and enhance efficiency across critical mineral value chains.

51ÁÔÆæ scientists are actively involved in three of these partnerships:

• Exploration and Geomodels for Rare Earth Element Pegmatite Targets (EGRET)
• Metal Fertility and Transport in Volcanic-hosted Hydrothermal Systems
• Critical Minerals for Resilience and Sustainability (MINERS)

Exploration and Geomodels for Rare Earth Element Pegmatite Targets

EGRET is led by BGS economic geologist, Eimear Deady. Joining up with Canadian partners, the project is developing new geological models and exploration tools for rare earth element (REE) deposits in Saskatchewan, Canada. REEs are a crucial component for the magnets used in wind turbines and electric vehicles. The research will help diversify the REE supply chain and ensure high environmental standards.

We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, which allows us to work closely with our Canadian partners to improve our understanding of Saskatchewan REE-rich pegmatites. Our aim is to support the development of more diverse and resilient supply chains that can meet the rising demand for magnets, driven by green technologies.

Eimear Deady, EGRET project lead at BGS

Metal Fertility and Transport in Volcanic-hosted Hydrothermal Systems

This partnership is focused on the UK, Ireland, and Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Some regions are rich in volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, which are sources of important metals such as copper, zinc and gold. The research aims to improve exploration and mining efficiency, furthering our understanding of the processes that create these deposits.

Critical Minerals for Resilience and Sustainability

Located in British Columbia, the MINERS project investigates how critical metals like tellurium, bismuth and the platinum group metals can be efficiently extracted as by-products from copper and gold deposits.

The MINERS project will explore the resilience and responsibility of UK/Canada critical minerals supply chains for lithium, nickel, cobalt and germanium, looking to develop the ways that stakeholders can improve environmental, social and governance performance and regulatory efficiency, and move towards a more circular economy.

Gavin Mudd, director of the BGS-led UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre

These research partnerships will protect national security interests by strengthening supply chains for critical minerals and reduce the environmental impact of mining.

‘UK/Canada sustainable critical minerals research partnerships’ is a .