UK Mining Conference 2025 Recap: Cornwall’s Critical Minerals Moment

Why the UK Mining Conference Matters

Established by Cornish Lithium, the UK Mining Conference has grown into a leading national forum for showcasing innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across the UK’s mining and critical minerals sectors.

The event is pivotal for the industry, particularly as the UK and Europe ramp up efforts to secure critical minerals for the clean energy transition. Held in Cornwall—a region with deep mining heritage and emerging resources like lithium and tin—the conference serves as a national platform for:

• Showcasing Innovation: Companies unveil cutting-edge technologies in exploration, processing, and ESG practices.
• Attracting Investment: It connects UK mining projects with global investors, helping to unlock funding and partnerships.
• Policy Alignment: With MPs, government officials, and regulators in attendance, the event helps shape the future of mining regulation and resource strategy.
• Fostering Collaboration: It brings together operators, researchers, suppliers, and local communities to promote responsible and inclusive growth.

In a time when supply chain resilience and sustainability are global priorities, the UK Mining Conference plays a crucial role in aligning national goals with international opportunity.

Key Themes & Industry Focus

This year’s agenda reflected the sector’s most pressing priorities:

• Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition
  Cornwall’s rich reserves of lithium, tin, tungsten, and copper are attracting international attention as Europe races to secure supplies for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.
• Geothermal Energy & Resource Synergy
  The debut of the Geothermal Forum, in collaboration with the International Geothermal Association (IGA), highlighted Cornwall’s unique potential to integrate geothermal energy and mining into a clean-tech hub.
• Mining Technology & Magnetics
  Technical sessions featured innovations in magnetic separation and sustainable mineral processing, with insights from experts like Dr. Graeme Nicoll (Halliburton), who was later recognised for his innovative contributions.
• Community Engagement & ESG
  Workshops emphasized building community trust, supporting local heritage, and embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in modern mining operations.

Cornwall’s Global Role in Sustainable Mining

With strong support from the Cornwall Mining & Geo-Resources Alliance and the Geo-Resources Cluster, Cornwall is positioning itself as a vital player in Europe’s critical minerals strategy. A government-backed regional development plan (£960,000) is now in motion, supporting over 130 active mining and Geo-Resource companies across the region. Many of our members attended and presented at this years event, showcasing the breadth and depth of the industry in the County.

Cornwall’s MPs Show Strong Support at the UK Mining Conference 2025

The 2025 UK Mining Conference in Cornwall was further distinguished by the active participation of several local Members of Parliament, underscoring the region’s commitment to revitalizing its mining sector. Among the attendees were:

• Perran Moon, MP for Camborne, Redruth & Hayle
• Noah Law, MP for St Austell & Newquay
• Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro & Falmouth

Their presence at the conference highlighted Cornwall’s strategic role in the UK’s critical minerals landscape. Earlier in the year, MPs Moon and Law also represented Cornwall at the Resourcing Tomorrow conference in London, where they showcased the region’s mining capabilities and advocated for increased investment in sustainable mining practices.

Their involvement at both events reflects a unified effort to position Cornwall at the forefront of the UK’s mining renaissance, emphasizing the importance of local leadership in driving the sector’s growth and innovation.

2025 UK Mining Conference Awards

A highlight of the event was the 2025 Awards Ceremony, which celebrated leadership, innovation, and impact across the mining sector:

• Exploration Discovery of the Year – Owen Mihalop, Cornish Metals
• Rising Star in the Mining Sector – Chloe Bayliss, Cornish Lithium
• Best Innovation in Mining – Dr. Graeme Nicoll, Halliburton
• ESG / Outstanding Community Outreach – Ben Lepley, SLR Consulting
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Mark Cutifani CBE, Vale Base Metals

These winners exemplify the next generation of mining leadership: responsible, community-focused, and technologically driven.

Networking & Local Engagement

The conference extended well beyond the lecture theatre. Delegates engaged in:

• Site visits to key exploration projects and companies around Cornwall including Cornish Metals, Cornish Tin, Cornish Metals, Holman Wilfrey, Wardell Armstrong, Tungsten West, Cornwall Resources, Imerys, Camborne School of Mines and Grinding Solutions.
• Industry roundtables for emerging businesses and investors, ‘Inside Mining’ seminar, Investors lunch and two new events, Geologists’ Breakout Forum and the Geothermal Forum.
• Evening networking at the Chain Locker pub, and a lively sketch performance titled “Whose Mine Is It Anyway?” to conclude the conference on a memorable note.

Looking Ahead

With new technologies, growing demand for sustainable sourcing, and deeper collaboration between communities and companies, Cornwall’s mining sector is undergoing a powerful resurgence. The 2025 UK Mining Conference confirmed that Cornwall is not just a region of mining history—it is a cornerstone of the UK’s clean-tech future.

Save the date: The 2026 UK Mining Conference will once again be held in Cornwall on the 10th & 11th June 2026.

Find out more and book ahead: https://ukminingconference.co.uk/