Deposition of evidence to the Westminster call on critical metals

Description of impact

This evidence preceded a House of Commons report into critical mineral supply chains and was cited by it.

Who is affected

Policy and decision makers considering critical metal sustainability in the UK.

Narrative

I discuss the UK's reliance on foreign countries for critical metals needed for green technologies. I highlight the risks of supply chain disruptions and the importance of diversifying the UK's critical minerals supply chains. I suggest that the UK could become a world leader in processing ore, rather than relying on mining its own resources. I also emphasize the need for responsible sourcing and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance across the sector. The document touches on the extraordinary challenges of deep-sea mining for critical minerals and the UK's role in regulatory development. Finch proposes that the UK focus on developing bilateral relationships with countries that have natural resources, (including Angola, Malawi, and Namibia), to improve supply chain accessibility and traceability. He also warns about the risks of mid-stream processing being concentrated in a handful of countries and the potential for hostile states to lever access to critical minerals for political gain.

Impact status	Open
Impact date	29 Mar 2023
Category of impact	Public Policy Impact