England’s Vision 2035 Critical Minerals Strategy signals a pivotal moment for investors watching the UK’s emergence as a competitive player in global mineral supply chains. The strategy sets clear, quantified ambitions: meeting 10% of domestic critical mineral demand through UK production and 20% through recycling by 2035, alongside a bold target of producing 50,000 tonnes of lithium annually from projects already advancing in Cornwall and Devon.
For the mining sector, this represents more than a policy update — it’s a structural invitation to capital. With up to £50 million in new government funding earmarked for exploration, refining, and R&D, the UK is positioning itself as a stable, ESG-aligned jurisdiction at a time when geopolitical volatility continues to disrupt supply chains. A cap ensuring no more than 60% of any single critical mineral is sourced from one country underscores the UK’s intent to de-risk procurement and diversify away from concentrated markets.
For investors, the opportunity lies in the creation of integrated “critical mineral clusters” in regions such as Teesside and Cornwall, where downstream processing and advanced materials manufacturing are being encouraged. Vision 2035 aligns mining directly with high-growth sectors — EVs, batteries, renewables, and defence — creating a clear pathway for long-term value creation in a strategically essential industry.
Read the full brief here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-critical-minerals-strategy/vision-2035-critical-minerals-strategy
