{"id":106889,"date":"2023-11-23T09:35:30","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T09:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/?p=106889"},"modified":"2024-02-26T09:09:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T09:09:35","slug":"first-annual-critical-mineral-intelligence-centre-conference-takes-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/news\/first-annual-critical-mineral-intelligence-centre-conference-takes-place\/","title":{"rendered":"First annual Critical Mineral Intelligence Centre conference takes place"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Led by BGS with support from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC) helps the UK to secure adequate, timely and sustainable supplies of the minerals and metals it requires to transition its economy to net zero emissions in the coming decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference set out the context and objectives of CMIC, the research and analyses it carries out, both in-house and commissioned from other bodies, and its engagement with UK Government and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To open the conference, Nursrat Ghani MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), provided a virtual opening address on the importance of critical minerals to the UK, highlighting that the country is committed to securing the supply of critical minerals. BGS Director Dr Karen Hangh\u00f8j then addressed the conference to talk about the role of BGS and its wider minerals research.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

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In hosting CMIC, BGS is able to build on its extensive expertise and knowledge, considerable international experience and ability to work with a broad range of research partners to give impartial advice to both Government and industry on reducing the risk of disruption to our critical mineral supply chains.<\/p>\n

Dr Karen Hangh\u00f8j, BGS Director.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\n\n

\"Andrew<\/a>
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Andrew Bloodworth speaking during the CMIC conference. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\"Expand<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

A number of other speakers also took to the floor at the conference, including Andrew Bloodworth, the interim CMIC Director, who took an in-depth look at the objectives, research, analysis and overview of the second year of the work programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

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At a time when the global economy is moving towards net zero and when geopolitical tensions have grown significantly, the information and insight provided by CMIC on possible risks associated with the UK\u2019s critical mineral supply are important for informing decisions relating to our economic growth and national security.<\/p>\n

Andrew Bloodworth, interim CMIC Director.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n

Dr Pierre Josso, deputy director at CMIC, then spoke about the updated methodology and the timescales for the next criticality assessment. There was also an expert panel discussion on the future direction of CMIC that featured:<\/p>\n\n\n\n