Weardale Lithium welcomes the publication of the new UK Critical Minerals Strategy and its clear commitment to developing the UK’s mineral deposits in order to secure supply and add supply chain resilience to benefit the UK economy and its communities.
The optimistic, forward-looking tone is positive. Objectives for domestic production of critical minerals (especially Lithium) is encouraging and supportive:
- at least 10% of annual UK demand for critical minerals in the aggregate is met through domestic production (primary extraction, processing and refining of critical minerals) by 2035;
- as part of this, at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium (or lithium carbonate equivalent) is produced domestically by 2035
Weardale Lithium continues to champion the importance of the NorthEast and County Durham to developing a viable source of domestic lithium production and is committed to working in partnership with the Government, stakeholders and communities to realise the benefits of the opportunity.