Mineral Supply

• Nutrition

• Technology

• Construction

• Manufacturing

• Agriculture

• Jewellery

• Medicine and dentistry

The Steps of the Mineral Supply Chain

What are the main steps of the mineral supply chain?

Evaluating Bioleaching

Bioleaching is a cheap and highly efficient mining technique, obtaining extraction yields of over 90%. It doesn't require high temperatures or destructive mining practices. However, it does produce toxic leachate that damages the environment.

Bioleaching is most suitable for low-grade mineral deposits. For higher-grade deposits, it's more feasible to use traditional smelting methods.

Phytomining

Plants absorb mineral ions from the soil through their roots.

How does it work?

• Plants grow in soil that contains low-grade mineral deposits

• As they grow, the plants absorb metal ions through their roots and concentrate them in their cell

• The plants are harvested and burned

• Metal compounds are left behind in the ash

Evaluating Phytomining

Phytomining can obtain metals from very low-grade deposits, reduces the need for destructive mining methods, and reduces the amount of waste rock. However, it's a slow process.

Other Exploratory Techniques

• Gravimetry: measuring variations in Earth's gravitational field indicates different rock types in sediment or near the surface.

• Magnetometry: measuring variations in Earth's magnetic field indicates magnetic materials, or those contrasting to their environment.

• Seismic Surveys: using reflected sound waves to indicate subterranean mineral resources.

• Resistivity Modelling: driving electrodes into the ground and generating a direct current between them can indicate mineralised areas. The further apart the electrodes, the deeper resistivity measurements can be taken.

• Trial Drilling: taking vertical soil samples for direct chemical analysis.

Cradle-to-Cradle Design

Rather than a new mining method, cradle-to-cradle is a variation of the circular economy concept.

Cradle-to-cradle design focuses on imitating the cycle of nature – with no waste.

Technical materials stay in closed-loop cycles, circulating as nutrients for industry.

Biodegradable materials decompose into safe, non-toxic nutrients, and become food for biological cycles.

Cradle-to-cradle is considered to be equivalent to true sustainability. Reusing all products alleviates pressure on resources and reduces the need for further mining and extraction.

The UK Minerals Strategy

Mineral demand is increasing as the world is shifting towards a carbon-free future. By 2040, global demand for electric vehicle batteries is projected to increase by up to 13 times.

To cope with the surge in demand, the UK laid out its first Critical Minerals Strategy in 2022. It follows the ACE Method: acceleration, collaboration, and enhancement.

Accelerating the UK's domestic capacities:

• Maximise domestic mining (where viable for communities and the natural environment)

• Teach skills in mining and minerals

• Use cutting-edge research and technology

• Accelerate the circular economy to alleviate pressure on primary supplies – see cradle-to-cradle above!

Collaborating with international partners:

• Source minerals from around the world

• Encourage worldwide trading and diplomatic relationships

Enhancing international markets:

• Reduce vulnerability to disruption

• Create a level playing field

• Develop functioning, transparent markets

• Make London the global capital of responsible mineral finance

Critical Minerals

The term “critical minerals” was mentioned in the UK's Minerals Strategy. What is it?

Many critical minerals are experiencing supply issues, or are produced in comparatively small volumes.

Uses for four critical minerals are summarised in this table.