CMA (UK) 6th Annual Conference: Strength through Supply

CMA (UK) 6th Annual Conference: Strength through Supply takes place on 30 November 2026. Venue: 11 St Andrews Pl, London.

Entering its sixth year, the Critical Minerals Association (UK) Annual Conference – Strength through Supply returns during a period of significant change and opportunity across the global mining and critical minerals sector. As a proud partner of London Mining Week, the conference brings together perspectives from across the value chain to explore the developments shaping the future of responsible mineral supply. As the UK’s trade body for critical minerals, the CMA provides a platform for dialogue between UK and international stakeholders, connecting policymakers, industry, investors, academia, service providers and end users. The 2026 programme will open with an update on the global critical minerals outlook from the International Energy Agency, before exploring developments in international cooperation, progress in delivering the UK Critical Minerals Strategy, and the role of investment in scaling new supply. Discussions will bring together perspectives on standards-based markets, financing projects at scale, navigating environmental permitting, attracting investment into UK opportunities and understanding the needs of purchasers as demand for critical minerals continues to grow. Featuring insights from across government, industry, finance and the wider supply chain, Strength through Supply will provide a forum for informed discussion between those developing resources, enabling investment, shaping policy and creating the markets required to support the energy transition and future industries. This event is proudly sponsored by Cornish Metals, Consulmet, SRK Consulting, and Vale Base Metals. 08:00 - 10:00 Breakfast Reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Critical Minerals 10:00 – 10:30 Arrivals 10:30 – 10:35 Opening Remarks Jeff Townsend - Co-founder, Critical Minerals Association (UK) 10:35 – 10:55 Presentation: The State of Play - IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook Shobhan Dhir - Critical Minerals Analyst, International Energy Agency 10:55 – 11:35 Panel Discussion: Standards Based Markets and Shared Prosperity Abbey Dorian - Head of Sector (Energy), British Standards Institution Isabelle Scott - Senior Policy Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Louis Marechal - Senior Advisor (Minerals & Extractives), OECD Paul Benjamin - Vice President of Research, Ocean Partners Charles Pembroke - Partner (Mining), ERM 11:35 - 11:50 Spotlight: The UK Critical Minerals Website 11:50 - 12:10 Tea & Coffee Break 12:10 – 12:50 Panel Discussion: The New Resource Agenda - National Security & Stockpiling in a Global Energy Transition Scott Robertson - Deputy Head and Economic Project Manager, Directorate of Economic Security and Statecraft, UK Ministry of Defense James Purdie - Head of Investor Relations, Arion Investment Management Takoko Onitsuka - General Manager, Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) Patrick Barnes – Vice President, Head of Metals & Mining Consulting, Wood Mackenzie 12:50 – 13:30 Panel Discussion: International Financing at Scale Lilly Wilson - Investment Associate, Orion Resource Partners Felicitas Reidl - Director of Innovation & Competitiveness, European Investment Bank Dr Rory Sullivan - Secretariat, Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030 Emmanuelle Dot - Head of International & Cross Government, UK Export Finance (UKEF) 13:30 – 14:30 Lunch 14:30 – 14:55 Presentation: The UK Critical Minerals Strategy - Progress on Delivery Mike Hill - Deputy Director of Critical Minerals & Mining, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) 14:55 – 15:35 Panel Discussion: Success Stories - How to Attract UK Funding Thomas Kelly - Director of Operations, Ionic Technologies Don Turvey - CEO, Cornish Metals Ingrid Edmund - Managing Director, National Wealth Fund Julia van Tuyll - Head of Investor Relations & Fundraising, TechMet 15:35 – 16:00 Tea & Coffee Break 16:00 – 16:40 Circular Economy in the UK Devolved Administrations Paul Cantwell - Material Circularity & Supply Chain Development Manager, Zero Waste Scotland Bill Firth - General Manager of Business Development, European Metal Recycling (EMR) James Cooke - Strategic Advisor, The Royal Mint Joanna Jones - Independent Consultant, former Strategy and Communications Director at EITI 16:40 – 17:20 Panel Discussion: Diversifying Procurement – Perspectives from Purchasers Elise Carre-Bishop - Head of Commercial, Fusion Powerplant Programme (STEP), UK Atomic Energy Authority Toby Green - Head of Precious Metals Market Intelligence, BASF 17:20 - 17:25 Closing Remarks Kirsty Benham - Co-founder & CEO, Critical Minerals Association (UK) Dean Cooper - Global Energy Lead, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 17:25 – 17:30 Keynote Speech Blair McDougall MP, UK Minister for Reindustrialisation, BIST 17:30 - 19:30 Drinks Reception If you are interested in speaking, exhibiting, or sponsoring, please contact events@criticalmineral.org