Policies

Critical Minerals List

Last updated: 28 July 2022

The UK's critical minerals list, announced as part of the country's critical minerals strategy, is defined by the British Geological Survey and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Critical Minerals Expert Committee, which identify minerals according to economic vulnerability and supply risk. The list is separated into minerals with high criticality and a watchlist of minerals not yet critical but increasing in criticality, which can evolve quickly based on demand and supply trends. 
The intention of this approach is for the UK to have an evidence-based, clearly articulated and evolving list of critical minerals, which reflects the dynamic nature of global supply chains and mineral markets.

Minerals with high criticality include:

  • Antimony
  • Bismuth
  • Cobalt
  • Gallium
  • Graphite
  • Indium
  • Lithium
  • Magnesium
  • Niobium
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Rare Earth Elements
  • Silicon
  • Tantalum
  • Tellurium
  • Tin
  • Tungsten
  • Vanadium

Minerals increasing in criticality include:

  • Iridium
  • Manganese
  • Nickel
  • Phosphates
  • Ruthenium

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