!!Critical Minerals – how can science and technology help deliver the UK Strategy?
__Date:__ February 24, 2025 5:30 – 8:30pm (in person) / 6:00 – 7:30pm (online)\\
__Venue:__ The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly London, W1J 0BG
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__Modern developments in electronics, batteries, electric vehicles and other technologies depend on certain critical minerals. There is a global race for these minerals as demand across the world rises, and the UK Government’s Critical Minerals strategy sets out this country will ensure sufficient supply to meet UK needs going forward. Science and technology can make a major contribution to delivering the strategy, from more efficient extraction, effective and commercially viable recycling and new materials. This in turn is leading to new commercial opportunities. In this event, we will discuss the UK strategy, and explore how science, technology and innovation can help deliver it.__
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This event is being jointly organised by the [Foundation for Science and Technology|https://www.foundation.org.uk], the [Geological Society|https://www.geolsoc.org.uk], and the [Royal Society of Chemistry|https://www.rsc.org]. It will be a hybrid event, with participation possible either in person at the Geological Society in London (with a subsequent reception in the Royal Society of Chemistry), or online. 
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!Speakers:

*__Rt Hon the Lord (David) Willetts__ FRS, Chair of the Foundation for Science and Technology [Chair]
*__Sarah Jones__ MP, Minister for Industry, Department for Business & Trade [TBC]*
*Dr Sarah Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, Satarla and Co-Director of the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, Imperial College
*__Dr Gavin Mudd__, Director, Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre, British Geological Survey
*__Dr Rhys Charles__, Technology Transfer Fellow, Swansea University

 * If Sarah Jones MP is unable to attend, she will be replaced by Professor Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.
 
!Participating in person

The event will be held in the Geological Society, Burlington House, Picadilly, London, W1J 0BG. The schedule is:
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__5:30 – 6:00__      Networking – coffee and tea available
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__6:00 – 7:30__      Speaker presentations and a Q&A panel session
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__7:30 – 8:30__      Networking Reception in the Royal Society of Chemistry
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The event and reception are free, and we very much hope that you can join us.
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To register to attend in person, please click [here|https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/critical-minerals-how-can-science-tech-help-deliver-the-uk-strategy-tickets-1132712476509?aff=oddtdtcreator].
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If you have any trouble registering for this event, please contact us on [office@foundation.org.uk|mailto:office@foundation.org.uk]

!Participating Online

You can also participate online via Zoom, for the session from 6:00 – 7:30pm.
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For all the information about the livestream, please click [here|https://www.foundation.org.uk/Events/2025/Critical-Minerals-%E2%80%93-how-can-science-and-technology/Live-Stream-24-February-2025]. 
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