Written questions

Mining: Sustainable Development

Commons · Question 49146 · Tabled 29 Apr 2025 · Department for Business and Trade · Official record

Answered 7 May 2025

Question

Asked by Martin Wrigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to ensure that the mining of (a) lithium, (b) nickel, (c) cobalt, (d) manganese and (e) graphite is (i) sustainable and (ii) does not negatively impact net zero targets.

Answer

Answered by Sarah Jones, 7 May 2025

While recognising these critical minerals are crucial for the energy transition, Government supports efforts to reduce the environmental impact of mining operations themselves. At present, the UK only has mining operations for lithium. As with any UK dome...