Written question asked by Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 January 2023 (named day). It was answered by Nusrat Ghani (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 January 2023 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Silver

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason silver is not included on the UK Critical Minerals List 2021.

Answer: In 2022, BEIS commissioned the British Geological Survey to undertake the UK’s first criticality assessment. 18 minerals – assessed as having the highest supply risk and highest economic importance – were defined as “critical”. Many other minerals, such as gold and silver, have important uses but, by necessity of focus, only some are defined as “critical”. Supply chain risks can be caused by – for example – rapid demand growth, concentrated supply chains in particular countries or highly volatile prices. Criticality changes over time. The assessment will be reviewed regularly through the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre. The next review is expected later this year.

Secondary information