The Critical Minerals Equipment Hub (CMEH) is now fully operational, delivering on its mission to significantly enhance the technical capabilities of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (CIoS) region. This one-of-a-kind hub is designed to lower analytical costs, reduce time delays, and accelerate research, development, and innovation (RD&I) for the entire UK geo-resources sector. Its cutting-edge capabilities also extend to a wide range of other industries, including renewable energy, recycling, materials science, and various forms of material characterization and mineral processing.
This initiative directly addresses the unique opportunity presented by the region’s rich deposits of green technology metals, including copper, lithium, tin, and tungsten, which are vital for sustained economic growth in the UK. The project’s focus on minerals processing- the critical stage of separating valuable metals from rock – is crucial for making mining projects commercially viable. The hub’s new, state-of-the-art equipment was specifically chosen to support the analysis and processing of modern technology metals like lithium and rare earth elements, which are a priority in the UK’s 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy.
The project was delivered by the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) at the University of Exeter, in close collaboration with key industry partners such as Petrolab, Paterson and Cooke and Bluecap Resources. The CMEH team is ready to welcome new projects and begin contributing to the future of the UK’s geo-resources industry.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact CMEH@exeter.ac.uk.
