If the future is green then our energy must be clean! Items in this section represent renewable energy and are reliant on ores like chalcopyrite, bastnasite and graphite.
Chalcopyrite is an ore of copper, the third most commonly mined metal in the world, with 20.7 million tonnes produced per year. Copper is a major component in renewable energy technologies, with its biggest uses in solar panels and wind turbines. It is a very efficient electrical conductor, allowing for efficient energy transfer, so is also commonly used for wires.
Bastnasite is an ore for a group of elements known as rare earth elements (REEs) and 208 000 tonnes are produced per year across the globe. REEs are a group of 17 chemical elements that are critical raw materials for a wide range of modern technologies. They have unique magnetic and chemical properties that make them essential components in many high-tech applications. The elements extracted from bastnasite are used to manufacture motors in electric vehicles and generators in wind turbines.
Graphite, which is a form of the element carbon, is widely used in lithium-ion batteries, which are found in many pieces of technology including electric vehicles. Graphite is a critical mineral in the UK, meaning it is vital to the production of high-tech products and advanced technologies, but is challenging to extract and process.
Critical minerals in our everyday lives
Critical minerals in households
There are lots of items in our houses that rely on minerals, from kettles and windows to microwaves and food cans. The items in this section are based on elements extracted from pyrolusite, chromite and cassiterite.
Critical minerals in infrastructure
Minerals can be combined and used at large scales to create our infrastructure! The items in this section are based on some of the main elements used in infrastructure.
Critical minerals in lifestyle
Live, laugh, look at what we have here! This section is all about lifestyle and these items are based on bismuth and other elements extracted from the minerals ilmenite and monazite.
Critical minerals in medicine
Health is wealth and this section is all about medical uses of critical materials. Have you ever had an X-ray? What about a trip to the dentist? If you have, then you will have relied on equipment that contains elements extracted from rutile, rhodochrosite and sphalerite
Critical minerals in renewables
If the future is green then our energy must be clean! Items in this section represent renewable energy and are reliant on ores like chalcopyrite, bastnasite and graphite.
Critical minerals in technology
From phones and laptops to headphones and tablets, this section is based on the elements extracted from spodumene and quartz, and the element cobalt, that we use to make our technology.
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Critical minerals resources
Our modern lives rely on a whole host of metals and minerals that are extracted from the ground. Available resources include classroom activities and a touring festival stand.
Modern life doesn’t grow on trees!
Modern Life Doesn’t Grow On Trees is a touring festival stand curated and designed by BGS’ public engagement team and scientists, which features #TheCommoditree installation.