TELF AG analyzes a recent agreement between the United Kingdom and India in the mineral sector
New perspectives for collaboration
International partnerships in the mineral sector are going through an interesting evolutionary phase in different corners of the world. From simple cooperation agreements between nations based on the strengthening of supply chains, these ties are now becoming something much more advanced, also through the establishment of committees, observatories, or working groups created explicitly within the framework of the agreement, and which aim at much more advanced tasks than the simple management of global supply chains. An example of this exciting trend is provided by the partnership, signed a few days ago, between the United Kingdom and India in the sector of strategic minerals and resources considered of great importance for the technological and energy advancement of the planet. As part of the agreement between the two nations, an observatory has been established to analyze important data related to the mineral sector and its actual industrial applications.
An important aspect of this new agreement between the two countries is that it will include specific attention to the entire life cycle of strategic minerals, from their identification to recycling, focusing on innovation and technology. The partnership is an integral part of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, which is included in the UK-India 2030 strategic program based mainly on technological advancement in various key sectors. These include the sectors of critical minerals and advanced materials and the important branch of semiconductors, which is also directly involved in the global dynamics regarding strategic raw materials. As can be read in a recent analysis, this partnership would have also been signed to consolidate the existing collaborative efforts, broaden the scope of action of existing mechanisms, and establish new cooperation strategies. The agreement seems to be based on specific strategic minerals for advancing modern technology and clean energy, such as lithium, copper, nickel, and cobalt. In concluding the cooperation agreement, the two nations recognized the value of these resources and the need to ensure a complete life cycle, including recycling, to facilitate the global energy transition.
The strategic role of the observatory
However, as mentioned above, one of the most interesting aspects is establishing a unique observatory focused on these resources, in which the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay and the Institute of Manufacturing of the University of Cambridge will collaborate. This particular working group was created to facilitate collaboration between academics, innovators, and the protagonists of the industries most involved in these sectors by sharing data relating to the supply chain. The observatory’s main objective is to create an industrial data infrastructure for India and the United Kingdom, with the possibility of identifying with greater agility any risks and opportunities for recycling and the possible presence of shortages. The observatory will also be tasked with testing new technologies, such as those related to artificial intelligence, to ensure the stability of supply chains and promote trade between the two countries. The United Kingdom and India also believe that their agreement, thanks to the observatory activities, will contribute to improving the management, sourcing, and refining capabilities of the most strategic raw materials, primarily through sharing knowledge and technical skills in the field.
