Critical raw materials

As long as mineral raw material consumption rates grow, we will continue to need to extract minerals and metals from the Earth. Until recently, many of the critical raw materials have largely been neglected by the research community. Therefore, relatively little is known about the processes mobilising and concentrating some elements in natural systems to produce potentially exploitable deposits.

Mineral deposit research will enhance our exploration models and ability to identify new deposits and new styles of mineralisation. Combined with systematic exploration in poorly explored parts of the planet, this will lead to expansion and diversification of mineral resources, contributing to greater and more flexible supply.

Our mineral deposit science focuses on:

• understanding critical raw material-bearing mineral systems in a range of terrestrial, marine and unconventional settings globally
• ­developing geomodels
• investigating critical raw material deposits in the UK and assessing geological stocks
• working with partner countries to improve their knowledge of domestic critical raw material resources and develop research capacity
• generating data and knowledge to assess the environmental performance of the production of critical raw materials from different mineral deposit types

If you want to discover more then please contact Paul Lusty or Kathryn Goodenough.

Up-to-date, accurate and high-resolution time-series data on raw material production is fundamental to high-quality minerals intelligence, objective decision making, strategic assessment and contingency planning by governments and businesses.

We have a global reputation as a leading provider of long-term mineral statistical data and associated analysis. An experienced team compiles statistics of mineral production and trade that are published in an online database, as annual books and as customised reports. Quality is assured by participating in international forums and by a regular exchange of information with a range of stakeholders.

Our role as a global data provider includes:

• maintaining up-to-date and accurate time-series data on mineral commodities
• collection and analysis of statistical datasets (e.g. mineral exploration activity; resources and reserves; mineral consumption; energy and water consumption; recycling rates, etc.) relevant to understanding material cycles and their footprints
• providing free, impartial, authoritative information on critical raw materials

If you want to discover more then please contact Teresa Brown.

Raw material supply chains have grown in complexity and size at an exponential rate in recent years. Tracking material flows and stocks in our economies is a major challenge and material supply chains can generate negative environmental and social impacts.

Reducing these impacts and decarbonising the global economy requires multiple interventions, including:

• low-carbon extraction, processing and refining of primary raw materials
• increased utilisation of recycled stocks
• ‘doing more with less’
• designing products with re-use, remanufacturing and recycling in mind

A whole-systems approach is needed to ensure that interactions between the economy and environment are properly accounted for, the optimum stages for intervention are identified and impacts are not hidden by shifting them to other regions or sectors.

This research focuses on:

• mapping material flows and stocks to identify meaningful interventions
• adopting a holistic, whole-systems approach that analyses all interactions between raw material supply chains, the economy, the environment and society and quantifies trade-offs
• understanding the role of circular economy in improving resilience and efficiencies in supply chains and reducing environmental impacts

If you want to discover more then please contact Evi Petavratzi.

The UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC) supports the UK in securing adequate, timely and sustainable supplies of the minerals and metals it requires to transition its economy in the coming decades to net-zero emissions.

Led by the British Geological Survey (BGS) with support from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), we work together with universities and private and public sector partners to gather and analyse intelligence on the supply and demand of critical minerals, their global value chains and use by UK industry. Our aim is to guide decision-making by government and industry to mitigate risks to supply security, helping to deliver economic prosperity and create opportunities for UK businesses in critical mineral supply chains, domestically and internationally. More information can be found on the dedicated CMIC website.