Call for action over silica
Preventable industrial diseases are still with us. Trade union Unite is calling for action on exposure to crystalline silica.
Minerals
Minerals
Critical minerals – a small step forwards
The government has come up with a new strategy for critical minerals, abandoning the previous one. But it will take action to make the strategy a reality…
Critical minerals – still no action
31 October 2025
Last year the Labour government acknowledged the need for a critical minerals strategy. It said a new strategy would be ready in the spring. But there’s no sign of it – and the delay is damaging Britain’s industrial interests.
US company walks away
31 October 2025
A major rare earths refining company, Pensana, which had intended since 2017 to set up processing at the Saltend Chemicals Park near Hull, has decided to invest in the US instead.
The battle for mineral resources [print version]
A global competition is under way to secure access to minerals such as lithium and cobalt, crucial to technological development…