A pioneering new research centre, led by the Camborne School of Mines, aims to revolutionise the extraction, use and reuse of critical metals for clean and digital technologies in the UK.
The research will begin with a case study of industries in Cornwall where exploration projects for lithium, tin and tungsten offer the opportunity for a “whole systems circular economy”.
The Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre in Technology Metals (ICECTM) is one of five new centres to benefit from £22.5million government investment.
Professor Frances Wall, from the University of Exeter, who will lead the project said: “We have been looking for this opportunity to join up across the value chain for a while.
“Individual research projects can only go so far in solving the problem of sustainable supply and use of these specialist materials.
“This opportunity is really exciting because we bring together all the disciplines ranging from geology, chemistry, engineering to social science and business to consider the whole system.
“Together with our project partners we will make a new road map for a technology metals circular economy centred on the UK.”
The ICECTM will explore the creation of circular economies for technology metals such as cobalt, rare earths and lithium that are essential in clean and digital technologies such as electric cars and wind turbines.
Experts from the Universities of Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester and the British Geological Survey, as well as 40 partner companies and organisations will join in the project.
In addition to the Camborne School of Mines, Exeter will also provide expertise from the Environment and Sustainability Institute, the Renewable Energy department and the Business School.
The Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centres are funded by the UK Government as part of UK Research and Innovation’s Strategic Priorities fund.
In addition to the UKRI Government investment, £11.2 million of funding and in-kind support is being provided by external partners, including the Royal College of Art, University College London, Loughborough University, University of Exeter and Brunel University London.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Creating a more circular economy for our waste and resources lies at the heart of this government’s transformative agenda for the environment, and we are committed to going further and faster to reduce, reuse and recycle more of our resources.”
The five new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centres across the UK will explore reusing waste materials in the textiles, construction, chemical and metal industries to deliver environmental benefits, reduce waste and create opportunities for new UK industries.