A parliamentary business select committee investigation has concluded that the United Kingdom faces significant strategic vulnerability due to its reliance on China for critical minerals and raw materials required across multiple sectors including military operations, renewable energy infrastructure, and artificial intelligence development.
The committee chair stated that critical minerals represent fundamental components of the emerging economy, and that the nation cannot rebuild its military capacity, advance AI capabilities, or achieve net-zero emissions targets without securing reliable supplies of these essential materials. The investigation highlighted that China maintains dominant control over the extraction and particularly the processing of rare earth elements and other critical minerals, with the country currently refining seven categories of minerals that are used in applications ranging from military aircraft to consumer appliances.
Projections presented to the committee indicated that lithium demand would increase substantially over the coming years, while demand for rare earths used in military jet components would rise significantly during the same period as Britain seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities. The committee noted that China has demonstrated its willingness to restrict supplies, pointing to actions taken in 2025 as evidence of this strategic risk. Members highlighted that the primary bottleneck exists at the processing stage rather than in raw material extraction itself.
The investigation revealed considerable frustration with limited government transparency regarding defense capabilities, identified vulnerabilities, and specific projects aimed at reducing dependency risks. The committee proposed a comprehensive 10-point plan addressing domestic mining opportunities, refining and recycling prospects, business procurement strategies, investment unlocking measures, and planning processes that may impede mining development. In response, government representatives stated they are directing £400 million toward increasing domestic production and recycling while establishing international partnerships, with targets set for 2035 including 10 percent domestic production, 20 percent recycling, and limiting single-country sourcing to 60 percent of demand.
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