Imerys hosts critical minerals roundtable at Par Moor, Cornwall, UK
On May 22, Imerys’ operation at Par Moor in Cornwall had the immense privilege of hosting Sarah Jones, the UK Minister of State for the Department of Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - alongside key local government and industry stakeholders - for a roundtable on critical minerals exploration and production in the Southwest of England.
Cornwall - a pivotal area for critical minerals
The southwest of England, in particular Cornwall, is a significant area for critical minerals exploration and potential production, including lithium, tin, and tungsten. Critical minerals are essential components in the production of electric vehicles, renewable energy products, and low-emission power sources, and, as such, are crucial for the UK’s transition to Net Zero. Last year, Imerys took full ownership of Imerys British Lithium, hence the decision to host the roundtable at the Par Moor Centre, outside St Austell.
In addition to the UK Minister of State, the event was attended by a panel of local members of parliament and key stakeholders from other critical mineral mining and processing businesses. Representatives from Camborne School of Mines - among the world’s top mining schools - and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce also joined the impressive scope of expertise sitting around the table.
“In a changing world, it’s never been so important to have strong supplies of critical minerals. Without them we can’t have renewable energy, AI or a thriving car sector.
“That’s why we’re working with industry to develop a landmark Critical Minerals Strategy that will support the industries of tomorrow and deliver for business. Seeing Cornwall’s thriving mining cluster was vital to help me develop the new Strategy which will deliver good jobs and a stronger economy.”
As chair of the Critical Minerals all-party parliament group, it is great to see such consensus among government and business leaders like Imerys and Cornish Lithium, on how we position Cornwall as a leader in critical mineral production globally, with benefits cascading across our local and national economies.
Investing in the community and a Net Zero future
Cornwall's unique geology provides one of the largest known concentrations of lithium-enriched granite in Europe. Indeed, the county’s vital role in supplying minerals like lithium to the UK’s economy has been highlighted in the UK Government’s first ever Critical Minerals Strategy which sets out how critical minerals will become increasingly important to bolstering energy security and UK industry.
By 2040, the world is expected to need four times as many critical minerals for clean energy technologies as it does today. Once operational, Imerys British Lithium is set to produce over 21,000 mt/y of lithium carbonate for electric car batteries - for more than 30 years. By working closely with the UK Government, local stakeholders and other critical mineral companies, Imerys will deliver a project which makes a positive contribution to the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and transition to Net Zero, as well as to the local community.
We were delighted to host this important discussion which brought together all the key stakeholders from the critical minerals industry across Cornwall. We are at such an exciting time for our region and this industry, so it’s vital that we work together - with the support of the Government - to maximize this opportunity for the local economy and community.
Imerys has received a sustainability award from Saint-Gobain UK, recognizing its work to help customers reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials through innovation, technical expertise and collaboration.
Imerys’ UK operations in Cornwall have taken another significant step in advancing their site restoration program, with the goal of planting 150,000 trees across its former China clay quarry sites. In early March, they collaborated with a group of local primary school children, reinforcing community engagement and underscoring their commitment to land rehabilitation in partnership with the local community.
One hundred year nine students from St Austell’s Penrice Academy recently enjoyed a careers event at the Littlejohns kaolin mine in the UK.