The UK government has launched a new Critical Minerals Strategy aimed at sharply reducing the country’s dependence on foreign supplies of vital materials used in everything from smartphones and fridges to electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 22 November, the strategy sets a target for Britain to meet 10% of its critical mineral needs from domestic production and 20% from recycling by 2035. It also includes an ambition to produce at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK by that date — more than the weight of the Titanic.
Backed by up to £50 million in new funding, the plan is designed to diversify supply chains and limit the UK’s exposure to geopolitical shocks, such as war or natural disasters. It responds to growing concern that China’s dominance in the sector — controlling about 70% of rare earth mining and 90% of refining — leaves Britain vulnerable as demand for clean energy and advanced technologies surges.
Domestic demand is projected to rise sharply, with copper use expected to almost double and lithium demand forecast to increase by 1,100% by 2035. To counter this, the UK has set a goal that no more than 60% of its supply of any single critical mineral will come from one country by 2035.
The government plans to capitalise on existing strengths across the UK, including Europe’s largest lithium deposit in Cornwall, significant tungsten resources, the Clydach nickel refinery in Swansea, and the only Western source of rare earth alloys used in high-performance magnets for wind turbines and F-35 fighter jets. More than 50 critical mineral projects are already based in the UK, and the sector currently contributes £1.79 billion to the economy and directly supports over 50,000 jobs.
Prime Minister Starmer framed the strategy as central to both economic resilience and national security. “For too long, Britain has been dependent on a handful of overseas suppliers, leaving our economy and national security exposed to global shocks,” he said, adding that the government would “boost domestic production, ramp up recycling, and back British businesses with the investment they need to compete on the international stage.”
Industry Minister Chris McDonald said the government was “taking the bold action needed to shore up our supply chains” and support new jobs and growth as part of its wider Plan for Change.
Delivery of the strategy will be supported by up to £50 million in funding to help UK companies scale up extraction, processing, and recycling projects, alongside wider public finance tools such as the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance. In September, the National Wealth Fund committed £31 million to Cornish Lithium to advance the Trelavour Lithium Project and the Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project.
The government will also seek to cut industrial electricity costs through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) and streamline permitting for innovative production and recycling projects via the Environment Agency’s priority tracked service. Skills development will be supported through collaboration with Skills England and the Department for Work and Pensions to build a workforce capable of delivering the strategy’s goals.
The plan is closely tied to the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, with critical minerals identified as a foundational sector underpinning advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and high-tech innovation. Key regions such as the North East of England, Devon and Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from new investment and jobs, leveraging local geology, industrial capacity and research expertise.
Industry reactions have broadly welcomed the move. Cornish Lithium CEO Jamie Airnes said the framework would help “accelerate domestic capability, unlock investment, and build strategic partnerships” to deliver lithium at scale. The Critical Minerals Association described the strategy as a “timely step forward” that can secure the UK’s position as a trusted global partner if implemented with intent, while industry figures from Vale Base Metals, Ionic Rare Earths and Hypromag highlighted the UK’s strengths in midstream processing, magnet recycling and rare earth technologies.
To further bolster resilience, the UK will examine stockpiling options, including through defence procurement, and continue to work with allies via initiatives such as NATO’s Critical Mineral Stockpiling Project. The government also plans to deepen partnerships with resource-rich and like-minded countries, using Britain’s academic, R&D and financial capabilities to expand opportunities for UK businesses at home and abroad.
