South West minerals have 'huge amount to offer UK'

Industry Minister Chris McDonald said the critical minerals industry to offer a lot of value to the South West

Minerals from the South West could play a big part in a strategy to reduce the UK's reliance on using foreign material, the government says.

Industry Minister Chris McDonald visited Cornwall to launch the Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to produce 10% of the UK's mineral needs domestically, along with a further 20% through recycling products by 2035.

Sites such as a repurposed quarry near St Austell being used by Cornish Lithium to produce lithium hydroxide monohydrate for lithium-ion batteries have been earmarked as being important to the strategy.

McDonald said both Devon and Cornwall had a "huge amount" to offer the industry and hoped it would provide a boost to the region's economy.

The government, which has set aside about £200m funding for the strategy, said China currently dominated global critical mineral production.

It said the strategy aimed to prevent the UK becoming "vulnerable from overreliance" on exporters for its supplies.

Demand for critical minerals such as lithium, copper and tungsten is set to increase over the coming years due to their use in items including mobile phones, laptops and cars.

'Cornish Celtic tiger'

McDonald, a minister for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said it was not a good idea to "only buy things from one shop" and the government wanted to increase the nation's options.

"Both Cornwall, Devon and the whole South West region have a huge amount to offer for critical minerals," he added.

"From the resources alone, we've got Europe's biggest lithium deposit in Cornwall and one of the world's largest tungsten deposits in Devon, along with great expertise and skills.

"It's an industry I know will add a lot of value to the local economy, but also provide really great opportunities for young people as well."

Perran Moon, Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth, said the strategy could help "unlock the Cornish Celtic tiger".

Camborne and Redruth MP Perran Moon said the strategy could "unleash the Cornish Celtic tiger"

He said: "We do sit on a unique geology here that could drive jobs and security for decades to come."

Jamie Airnes, chief executive of Cornish Lithium, said securing a domestic supply of minerals such as lithium would help create "high-quality jobs".

"The strategy highlights the need to accelerate domestic capability, unlock investment, and build strategic partnerships – all of which are essential to delivering lithium production at scale," he said.