Funding awarded to UK/Canadian critical mineral research projects

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 (UKRI) 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’s environmental footprint and enhance efficiency across critical mineral value chains.

BGS 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’s 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 Natural Environment Research Council grant.