UK Unveils Critical Minerals Strategy to Reduce Dependence on China

UK Unveils Critical Minerals Strategy to Reduce Dependence on China
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The UK has announced a new strategy to secure critical minerals and rare earths, aiming to reduce reliance on China, which dominates global supplies, The Guardian reported. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain’s economy and national security have long been vulnerable due to dependence on a limited number of overseas suppliers.

The plan includes a £50 million fund to expand production at tungsten and lithium mines in Cornwall, home to Europe’s largest lithium deposits. The government intends to increase domestic extraction and processing of lithium, nickel, tungsten, and rare earths, targeting production of at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium by 2035.

The strategy also emphasizes recycling and aims to ensure no more than 60% of any critical mineral comes from a single partner country.
The move follows growing global tensions over supplies of essential materials, such as the recent six-week standoff between China and the EU over car industry chips. Rare-earth minerals are vital for technologies including smartphones, electric vehicles, and AI data centres.

The UK has previously signed a minerals cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia to strengthen supply chains. Currently, the country produces just 6% of its critical mineral needs domestically, highlighting the scale of investment and infrastructure required to achieve strategic independence in the sector.