SCIMITAR
Supporting Critical Minerals Innovation, Technology, and Resilience
UK-India Industry-Academia scoping workshop on
Critical Minerals
Background
Critical metals such as copper, cobalt, gallium, indium, rare earth and platinum group metals are increasingly in global demand as the needed raw materials for low-carbon technologies such as windmill generators, solar panels, batteries, magnets, and electric vehicles. UK and India face similar challenges in terms of building supply chain resilience in critical minerals as they are largely dependent on just few countries for the sourcing of critical materials in their finished forms. There is recognition in both countries of the importance of building supply chain resilience in this area with both countries having released critical mineral strategies.
This workshop aimed to explore research & innovation excellence and challenges in both countries in critical mineral exploration & extraction to identify opportunities for collaboration & help build relationships between the UK & Indian research and industry communities.
Objectives
This workshop aimed to explore research and innovation excellence and challenges in both countries in critical mineral exploration and extraction to identify opportunities for collaboration and help build relationships between the UK and Indian research and industry communities.
❖ Gain research and innovation and policy insights in UK and India on critical mineral exploration and extraction and opportunities in both UK and India.
❖ Create a UK-India community of academics, innovators, investors and companies to address challenges and help identify best practices and commercial opportunities.
❖ Explore gaps and opportunities for future research and innovation work stream between both countries.
❖ Identify at least 2 grand challenges for Future Funding.
Workshop Themes
India’s critical mineral policy, challenges and opportunities for companies in exploration
New approaches and technologies for exploration of critical minerals, data modelling, analysis and interpretation
Industry challenges and potential solutions/ technologies for exploration /extraction/refining of critical minerals
India’s critical mineral policy, challenges and opportunities for companies in exploration
Impact
UK Delegations
Industries Engaged
Scientists Engaged
Industry Immersion
- The UK-India Critical Mineral Partnership Workshop held 26-28 February 2024, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, had over 70 participants from both countries.
- The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration to identify and address grand challenges and leverage expertise for solutions.
- Discussions revolved around, novel approaches to surveying, exploration, recycling innovation, and the role of government in fostering industry-academia partnerships and investment opportunities
Key Areas of Discussion
Pipeline of Activities
Provide 2-3 Chevening Scholarships (supported by UK or Indian corporates/other programs) for the Critical Minerals sector.
Aside R&D and academic collaborations, institute a ‘Critical Minerals’ Chair in a top Indian or UK university, supported by Indian or UK companies.
Finalize Industry Challenge statements and establish a call in co-ordination with CPI & BCKIC.
Establish a joint UK-India working group/s on CM with representation from academics, industry and policy makers to provide advice and support.
Explore funding of UK-India projects from the British Investment International and Green Growth Equity Fund.
Explore opportunities for the UK Critical Minerals Association to work with Indian industry bodies and have a presence in India.
Provide a platform for building a greater working relationship between British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of India through a funded programme.
Research Partnerships/Student mobility and faculty exchange programmes between UK and Indian Universities/Institutions.
Glimpses
